Published on: Wednesday, March 1, 2023
King’s College Sixth Formers returned to school after the half term to lessons in the distinctively modern Sixth Form Centre. The Centre serves to emphasise the importance of the final two years at King's and has huge potential to change the way the Sixth Formers study, providing many opportunities for collaborative working, formal and semi-formal academic experiences and discussions, all of which are crucial to developing intellectual thinkers.
The new building is situated on the north side of the Chapel and is flexible, technologically advanced and anchored in sustainable energy principles. Flooded with natural light, the new learning and social spaces echo the environments of higher education institutions, preparing the King’s Sixth Formers for a seamless transition between school and university study.
Head of Sixth Form Oliver Ridley, said, "As our Sixth Form expanded, we needed more room, so to have a purpose-built, creatively designed academic and social space is a huge boon.
“The building provides an environment for productive, mind-expanding conversation. Even though the building was planned before the pandemic, it is exactly what we need to boost the collaborative and social aspects of the best possible Sixth Form learning experiences after all that independent study."
There was a real sense of excitement amongst the pupils as they started to use the state-of-the-art learning and social spaces, silent study area, creative learning space and café where they can enjoy barista-style coffees and hot snacks.
Jay B said, “I really like having the option to study in different areas and in different ways. I can use the silent study space at any time, or if I’m working with someone else I can use one of the smaller rooms. If I want my environment to be a bit more relaxed, I can use the café space.”
Headmaster Michael Sloan reflected, “This project has taken many years in the development, planning and construction stages, and the results are superb. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who played their part in the project and worked so hard to oversee and deliver the building to such a high-quality specification.
“Our state-of-the-art classrooms, Creative Learning Space, Futures Room and breakout areas are superb new additions to the academic experience of our senior pupils. The innovative and creative teaching and learning being delivered in our outstanding new building is helping to ensure that King’s remains the school of choice in the South West for intellectually curious and academically minded Sixth Form pupils.”
