Great Walstead School's amazing art studio and resident artists

By Chris Calvey, Headmaster

Upon completion of our new art studio at Great Walstead School, we were left with the dilemma of just what to do with the old studio space. At the same time, I had very kindly been invited to the art graduates’ final exhibition for the 3D Design and Craft and the MA Craft Courses at the University of Brighton. This led to the forming of a partnership which allowed up to ten art graduates to use our studio space in return for offering a variety of masterclasses to our pupils.

Over the last two years this partnership has really cemented itself with the artists running a series of workshops for the teachers as well as the parents and the pupils. Each artist has their own specialism, and this has brought a real diversity to the art our pupils are exposed to as well as a terrific energy and enthusiasm from the artists themselves.

It has been such a pleasure to have this addition to our school and a real opportunity for our girls and boys to work with such passionate artists. The artists are hosting an open studio and sale on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th December from 10am to 4pm.

This is an exciting opportunity for visitors to see the space and their work. There will be a range of ceramic objects, jewellery and accessories for sale. Everyone is very welcome to pop along. For the artists most recent workshop schedule of weekday and evening classes for adults and holiday clubs for parents and children, please email: greatwalsteadstudio@gmail.com

Expansion plan for Lindfield Primary Academy

Trust confirms details of LPAs expansion plan

The University of Brighton Academies Trust is delighted that West Sussex County Council have agreed to fund Lindfield Primary Academy in undertaking two temporary bulge years to accommodate the increased demand for places. As a result, the academy will be moving to a 4 form entry academy in September 2021 for the next two years.

The need for a temporary bulge is due to the delayed opening of the new school nearest to Lindfield. West Sussex County Council have plans to open two new primary schools in the locality to accommodate the need for additional primary school places. Alongside welcoming 30 new children into the academy, this exciting development will further support the local community by significantly improving academy facilities in a two-stage approach.

To ensure all children can be taught alongside one another in comparable accommodation, the initial ‘Stage 1’ refurbishments will occur over the summer holidays to create a new classroom for the additional early years class. In the autumn term, a multi-surface play space will be developed to enable early years children to have year round access to an additional secure play area. On the academy field, a multi-surface games area will be established to provide pupils with an all-weather play space whilst the redevelopment is underway. This new play facility may be used in the future to support PE and after school clubs. The music and IT suite will be redeveloped into a new classroom for Key Stage 2 pupils in September 2021.

When ‘Stage 2’ of the project is complete in September 2022, the classroom will no longer be required, and pupils will benefit from a refurbished and enlarged music and IT learning space and the significant investment in new mobile laptops. Although their final location is yet to be confirmed, ‘Stage 2’ of the project will also see the two new West Sussex County Council-approved permanent classrooms being built. This exciting part of the project will start sometime in early 2022, with the completion timed to be ready for September 2022.

In addition to the new classrooms, a large multi-surface play space will be created between the Key Stage 2 and Year 1 learning areas. This will allow for more pupils to experience safe, imaginative play spaces during play time. The academy’s Parent Teacher Association and staff are helping to design these new play spaces. If you have any questions about this exciting development, please get in touch with Alice Allen (Chair of the Local Board) at a.allen@brightonacademiestrust.org.uk.