News & Headteacher Blogs

We were delighted to our new Food Technology room today, a new state of the art facility which will be used by students across the whole school.

Thanks to a £99,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation* and a grant from West Berkshire Council, the room has been completely extended and renovated, with new sinks and storage areas added alongside the new ovens which were installed last year. A new extraction system has been fitted, removing the heat and grease generated from cooking and replacing it with fresh replacement air, and the room now benefits from a moveable hob and sink allowing students with disabilities and in wheelchairs to access the equipment safely. The classroom also has new lighting and flooring.

The teachers now have an island at the front of the classroom with an in-built hob so they can demonstrate cooking techniques to the students. The food technicians also have their own new separate area within the room, with storage and fridges.

The Wolfson Foundation grant has also enabled improvements to be made to the school’s Art and Technology faculties. The Art room has a new suspended ceiling allowing for much approved acoustics, and Technology students have benefitted from a new laser cutter and 3D printers. In addition, a project by West Berkshire Council last summer means that the building which houses the Art, Technology and Food Technology classrooms now has a new roof.

The socially distanced opening was attended by students, teachers and Andy Blinco, Building Surveyor from West Berkshire Council. Headteacher, Mr Prosser said: “Thanks to the investment from West Berkshire Council and the grant from The Wolfson Foundation, all our students will benefit from these new facilities and equipment, whether in the lower school or studying these subjects at GCSE and A Level. The investment underlines our commitment to providing our students with the best facilities alongside a broad and balanced curriculum, and we are delighted with the results.”

*The Wolfson Foundation is an independent grant making charity whose fund raising programme and activities look to improve the civic health of society through education and research.

The photos include Year 12 student Marcus operating the new laser cutter and Year 8 students Edward, Willow and Emma with teachers Mrs Edwards and Mrs Palmer, Headteacher Mr Prosser and Andy Blinco from West Berkshire Council.