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Proposal to Build Innovation Hub

Proposal to build innovation Hub

 

4-WEEK CONSULTATION ENDS at 12:00PM ON THE 24th March 

The public consultation meeting on this proposal is due to be held at the school on Monday 10th March 2025 at 6.30pm

If you would like this document in another language or format, e.g., large text, please contact
Thomas Alleyne’s High School or write to

office@tahs.org.uk
Thomas Alleyne’s High School

Dove Bank

Uttoxeter

ST14 8DU

STATUTORY CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTATION

  1. Staffordshire County Council is responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient school places in the County and have been in discussion with the school as part of an implementation strategy to increase High school capacity in Uttoxeter Town.
  2. The Innovate2Educate Partnership wants to hear the views of local families, the local community, school staff, governors, parents and other bodies on a proposal to:
  • Enlarge Thomas Alleyne’s High School to increase the Published Admission Number (PAN) for year 9 places from 320 to 350.
  • Gradually increase pupil numbers over time to provide a total of 1400 High school places across years 9 to 13 (an increase of 120 places).
  1. It is important that you make your views known by 24th March 2025.

WHY ARE MORE SCHOOL PLACES NEEDED?

  1. The County Council is committed to providing the best possible start for young people, which means ensuring that every child who needs a school place in their local area has one available.
  2. Thomas Alleyne’s High school is the High school in Uttoxeter that all schools feed in to for high school places from year 9.
  3. The strategy to increase the high school capacity in Uttoxeter Town is in response to several committed housing developments across Uttoxeter which are expected to increase pupil numbers in the local area. As the number of children increases the number of high school places required will need to increase.

  1. The project would mean that up to 30 more year 9 places would be available for children starting full-time education at Thomas Alleyne’s High School and the capacity of the school would be increased from 1280 to 1400 places (years 9-13), an increase of 120 places.

Thomas Alleynes High School

  1. Thomas Alleyne’s High School is a popular High school in Uttoxeter Town. It was inspected by OFSTED in 2025 and 2019 and the previous good rating was confirmed.  

  1. The PAN is the number of year 9 places offered to children starting their full-time education. Thomas Alleyne’s High School currently has a Published Admission Number of 320.
  2. The Governing Body are committed to providing a place for all pupils in their area who wish to attend the school and to enable this to happen have proposed increasing the school’s PAN so that up to 350 children can be admitted into year 9 by September 2028.
  3. The proposed change would provide more places for local children and result in improvements to the school environment. The project provides additional classrooms and ancillary infrastructure, and the additional number of pupils will also generate additional funding to enable the appointment of more teachers and teaching assistants.

HOW WOULD THE SCHOOL BE IMPROVED?

  1. A project has been agreed with the school to include:
  • A new detached building to include three new general teaching bases, a specialist ICT room, a specialist electronics and robotics room and ancillary accommodation;
  • Additional toilets;
  • New science classroom;
  1. The work will be funded by Section 106 developer contributions from new housing and Staffordshire County Council will seek planning permission for the building project.
  2. The work is planned to start at the school in November 2025 (dependent on the relevant statutory approvals being received) and should take around 40 weeks to complete. The County Council, Academy, and contractors would work together to minimise any disruption.

HOW WILL THE SCHOOL GROW?

  1. From September 2028 the PAN will be increased to 30, providing an additional 30 places for our Year 9 intake. This PAN increase from 320 to 350 will result in a gradual increase in full-time pupil numbers over several years, rising to around 1400 by 2031.
  2. The additional accommodation may also provide some operational flexibility to admit children moving into a new home within the catchment.

HOW WILL IT AFFECT THE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL?

  1. As new housing development in the local area is underway and is expected to generate additional children, the new school places will be available at the school from September 2028.
  2. From September 2028, the 350 year 9 pupils will be divided between thirteen classes, each with a teacher. 

  1. Pupils currently at the school would not be affected. The proposed changes would be implemented gradually for children starting at the school in the future.
  2. There will be no substantial changes to the way in which children are taught as a result of these changes.

Rationale

Thomas Alleyne’s High School is excited to announce plans for a new development aimed at enhancing the school’s educational infrastructure and ensuring that all students have access to the highest quality learning experiences. This expansion will include the creation of a state-of-the-art Electronics and Computing Studio, a modern Science Laboratory for practical experiments, and the addition of improved toilet facilities to meet the growing needs of our student body.

This document outlines the proposed new build, highlighting how each element will positively impact the school and its community. We also invite feedback from students, parents, staff, and the wider community on these exciting developments.

Overview of the New Build

The proposed expansion will include the following key components:

Electronics and Computing Studio

High-performance workstations with industry-standard software for programming, 3D modelling, and circuit design.

Electronic equipment and kits for hands-on learning and prototyping.

Collaborative areas to encourage teamwork and creativity.

New Science Laboratory

A fully equipped science lab designed to support practical, hands-on experiments for students across all science subjects.

Flexible space that can be used for forensic science, biology, chemistry, and physics experiments, with modern safety equipment and materials.

Equipment for conducting experiments and fostering inquiry-based learning in a safe, inspiring environment.

Improved Toilet Facilities

Upgraded and additional toilet facilities to ensure that all students and staff have access to clean, modern, and well-maintained restrooms.

Larger, accessible toilets to accommodate the growing number of students, with improved hygiene standards.

Gender-neutral facilities to promote inclusivity and ensure everyone feels welcome and supported.

Positive Impacts on the School

Enhancing Practical Learning in Science: The new Science Laboratory will provide students with dedicated space to engage in practical experiments and investigations across a wide range of scientific disciplines. This new lab will enable the school to offer more opportunities for hands-on learning, which is essential for deepening students' understanding of complex scientific concepts. The lab will also allow all science classes to take part in practical work, regardless of class size, improving student engagement and performance in STEM subjects.

Boosting STEM Education and Career Readiness: The combination of the Electronics and Computing Studio with the new Science Laboratory will significantly enhance the school’s capacity to teach STEM subjects. These new facilities will prepare students for the technological demands of the future, providing them with exposure to both theoretical learning and practical application. This holistic approach to education will give students the tools they need to pursue further education and careers in fields such as engineering, robotics, computer science, medicine, and environmental science.

Improved Facilities for All Students: The addition of more toilet facilities will address current challenges in meeting the needs of a growing student body. By upgrading the restrooms and ensuring they are accessible, hygienic, and well-maintained, we aim to create a more comfortable and inclusive environment for all students. The introduction of gender-neutral toilets will help promote equality and ensure that every student feels safe and respected within the school community.

Supporting Collaborative Learning and Innovation: The new build will feature collaborative spaces in both the Electronics and Computing Studio and Science Laboratory. These spaces will encourage teamwork, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. Students will be able to work together on projects, share ideas, and explore new concepts, preparing them for future challenges where collaboration and innovation are key. This environment will foster a sense of community and a deeper connection to their learning.

Increased Capacity and School Pride: The development of new facilities will not only enhance the learning experience but also help accommodate an expanding student population. These modern, high-quality facilities will promote pride within the school, both for students and staff. A well-equipped school with state-of-the-art labs and updated facilities will help attract more students, raise the profile of Thomas Alleyne’s High School in the local community, and provide a positive learning environment that inspires success.

Promoting Wellbeing and Inclusivity: The addition of more, modern toilet facilities will contribute to a greater sense of wellbeing for students, ensuring they have the facilities they need to feel comfortable and cared for during their school day. The new restrooms will also support the wellbeing of staff and visitors, creating a more inclusive environment for all members of the school community.

Next Steps and Feedback

As part of the consultation process, we invite feedback from all stakeholders, including students, parents, and staff, on the proposed development. We are particularly interested in any suggestions that would further enhance the design of the new Electronics and Computing Studio, Science Laboratory, and toilet facilities, as well as any ideas for improving overall school facilities. We will be providing an opportunity to attend a consultation evening at 6.30pm on 10th March at the School Pavilion, Thomas Alleyne’s High School.

How to Provide Feedback:

Email: innovatehubconsultation@tahs.org.uk

Phone: 01889561820

Written feedback can be submitted at the school reception.

Conclusion

The proposed new build at Thomas Alleyne’s High School marks an exciting step forward in the development of the school’s infrastructure. With the addition of a state-of-the-art Electronics and Computing Studio, a fully equipped Science Laboratory, and upgraded toilet facilities, we aim to create a learning environment that inspires and supports all students. These improvements will provide the school with the resources needed to deliver exceptional education, while also addressing practical needs such as student comfort and wellbeing.

The plans below are preliminary plans and subject to change but provide an insight to the improvements that will be made to our school site.

HOW DO I MAKE MY VIEWS KNOWN TO THE GOVERNING BODY/TRUST?

  1. Please send the school your views by 12:00pm on the 24th March 2025
  • Email: your views to innovatehubconsultation@tahs.org.uk
  • Write: Thomas Alleyne’s High School Dove Bank Uttoxeter
  • Attend: the local consultation event on 10th March

  1. The public consultation meeting on this proposal is due to be held at the school on Monday 10th March 2025 at 6.30pm
  2. All the views received will be presented in a report for consideration by the Governing Body and Innovate2educate.
  3. These will also be taken into consideration by Staffordshire County Council when the statutory approval process to implement the project is undertaken.

Senior Students

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