Sixth form at Farmor's to be transformed thanks to massive grant

The school in Fairford has been awarded £550,000 from the Education Funding Agency’s Academies Capital Maintenance Fund, which will enable it to continue with its plans to build a new Learning Resource Centre for its sixth form.

This grant means that the school has more than exceeded its 2011 fundraising target of £250,000 for its new sixth form building.

The new centre will provide study space for all 240 sixth form students as well as improved ICT facilities and a careers and university resource hub on the mezzanine of the new building. In addition all the social spaces of the school’s existing sixth form accommodation are going to be revamped and re-decorated.

Head of sixth form Emma White said: “We are absolutely delighted to have gained the funding for our new Sixth Form Learning Resource Centre. This will make an enormous difference to both our current and future students.

“The students are very excited and we are making sure their input and ideas are being considered as the project gathers momentum.”

On top of this, the school has also been awarded a further £425,000 to complete recent flat roof repairs.

The learning centre will be completed by January 2014, so existing and future sixth form students will benefit from the new study environment.

Anne Stokes, headteacher at Farmor’s said: “It is fantastic news that we have been successful with our bids for funding. The new Learning Resource Centre is something we are really excited about and will ultimately benefit the whole school and surrounding community.

“Our 6th form students have already achieved great things in cramped study conditions and have an excellent track record of A level results. This funding will be used to extend and improve study facilities for our sixth form which will enhance the whole learning experience for the students.”

* Plans for the project can be viewed on the Farmor’s website farmors.gloucs.sch.uk