Head's Page

New School - Progress Report

I want to talk to you about two experiences this term – both in their own ways highly significant, and having a great deal to say about Dorothy Goodman and our vision for the future.

The first concerns a visitor – the parent of a child who was looking round the school to see if we would be appropriate for her son. As I began the tour round I apologised, as I often do, for the poor accommodation, pointing out that very soon things would improve. The parent stopped me and said “What do you mean? The school looks wonderful”. I mention this as a tribute to the staff who over the years have worked extremely hard in cramped conditions to provide a first-class education for the children of this school. And I mention it as a reminder that a school is not bricks and mortar – it’s about the people who work there and what they do with it.

The second experience was quite a remarkable one. For many years here in Hinckley we have felt somewhat isolated – knowing that we need to be re-built, but at the same time knowing that there are many other worthwhile causes to take people’s attention. And then the decision was taken – the school (the 3-14 section on the Redmoor site) is definitely going to be re-built. And all of a sudden a great many people, from all kinds of areas, become interested and involved.

Jeffrey (the Chair of Governors) and I attended the launch meeting a few weeks ago, and there we were, sat in a room with about 25 other people – Planners, Architects, Engineers, Design Consultants, Builders, all sorts of people. All of them intensely interested in our school here in Hinckley, and all of them intensely interested in making an excellent job of it! It was an exciting day, and it has continued to be exciting throughout the term. Once things start moving they move very fast and we have had numerous meetings to decide the exact design of the classrooms, the layout of the school, planning for the Office rooms and the Therapy rooms etc..

And what is very encouraging is that the Architects and the Planners seem very keen to listen to our point of view, and to incorporate what we say into the overall design. I am delighted by this, and it makes me look forward even more to the day when we actually open and are able to use what will be a fabulous building. I hope, and am sure, that when the plans are shared with you as parents, you will be as excited as I am about what is soon to happen.

Tony Smith