School Move

Why move?

Ashmount's current building (seen above left, in better days) dates back to 1958. It was constructed using an innovative glazing system to create outside walls that are entirely made of glass. While this means that the building is interesting to architectural historians, it also presents the school with a host of problems.

As any visitor to the school can tell, the wonderful things that happen at Ashmount happen in spite of, rather than thanks to, the school building, which does not comply with current standards of school design, environmental conditions or disability access. Although the building does not present any immediate risks to the health and safety of the school’s pupils, it is in a poor condition and is coming to the end of its expected life.

Any refurbishment of the current building would result in only a temporary and unsatisfactory extension of its limited life. It would be an expensive and disruptive process which would allow the school only to continue coping for another decade or two with the practical difficulties it already has.

The Governing Body looked closely at this option – and at the possibility of building a new school on the current site, which would be even more disruptive, even more expensive, and feasible only if the new school were to be a much more restricted building on a more restricted site than is presently the case. Neither option allowed the school to serve the needs of its current pupils while also creating an educational environment fully equipped for the challenges of the 21st century.

Back