Buildings update March 2019

29th March 2019

Dear Parent/carer

RE: Buildings Update

Further to my previous letter I can now outline the timeframe and preliminary arrangements for the demolition of the East and West block buildings. As previously stated, the safety of pupils, staff and visitors is paramount.

To ensure this work can be undertaken safely the school site must be passed over to the contractor in its entirety. To this effect we must vacate the school premises and use an alternative building for the duration of the demolition works.

I will therefore outline the proposal as follows: Rhyddings will re-locate and use the vacant Hameldon school site in Burnley once again. As you can imagine there is a significant amount of logistical organisation and physical movement of resources and equipment to prepare in advance of receiving pupils there.

In conjunction with the Governors and Lancashire County Council (LCC) it has been necessary to agree a number of extraordinary school closures to allow this to happen.

Year 11 pupils will be unaffected and their forthcoming exams protected and they attend as normal.

The necessary additional school closures apply to years 7-10 only.

Stage 1 Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th May 2019 (immediately before half term) closed to pupils’ year 7-10.

Monday 3rd June all pupils return to school at Rhyddings as normal (following the regular half term break).

Stage 2 Thursday 14th and Friday 15th June closed to pupils years 7-10.

Monday 17th June closed to pupils in years 7, 8 & 10 Monday 17th June year 9 attend Hameldon Tuesday 18th June all pupils’ in years 7-10 attend Hameldon The details of our time at Hemeldon will be issued in due course, particularly with regards to transport, which will be provided by LCC. A separate letter will provide more information regarding arrangements.

As years 7, 8 & 10 have already experienced a successful relocation to Hameldon I am sure that there will be somewhat less concern but understand that as parents and carers you will have a number of questions. It is my intention to provide as much information as possible, over the coming weeks, and hopefully provide the answers. Hameldon is a super facility and when we take up guest residence in June all Hameldon pupils will have left and we will operate the school site purely as Rhyddings.

As you will appreciate this is a significant undertaking and will require much preparation and planning but I wish to reassure you that together with LCC we will do our utmost to minimise the impact and provide as much continuity as is possible.

In the meantime please do email queries to the following address and we will compile a parent/carer FAQ page online, with regular updates, rather than respond individually. school@rhyddings.co.uk In anticipation of your support Yours sincerely

Mr A K Williams Headteacher