A warm welcome back to school for John Spence students & staff

The Covid-19 pandemic has without doubt affected our whole community, but it has been a catalyst for improvement for the staff & students at John Spence.
Ad Feature by John Spence Community High School
Published 17th Sep 2021, 00:00 BST
A student from John Spence Community High School hard at work.A student from John Spence Community High School hard at work.
A student from John Spence Community High School hard at work.

John Spence Community High School was re-built in 2016, and although the new school benefitted from lots of new and innovative technologies, the spaces and corridors were an uninspiring bland white that Jonathan Heath, head teacher at John Spence, and his team, saw as a blank canvas to exploit and inspire.

Mr Heath is keen to keep spirits high as the epidemic continues to impact. “It was very important to us that when the school reopened its doors at the beginning of term, the learning and teaching spaces would be warm and welcoming”.

This summer he took the opportunity to inject lots of invigorating colours and bold inspiring signage across the main school building - promoting the ethos of John Spence and giving staff and students a greater sense of ownership and pride in their school.

John Spence Community High School hub entrance for student mentoring.John Spence Community High School hub entrance for student mentoring.
John Spence Community High School hub entrance for student mentoring.

This summer saw many other substantial improvements across the school site too. The Arts and Drama block benefited from a refresh. Specific learning spaces have been created such as the Engagement centre, and the school has invested further in ICT by installing smart TV screens in another 5 locations.

A new Hub specifically for student mentoring has been built with bespoke fencing commissioned, along with planter seats to keep the area looking tip top!

“The school’s sporting facilities benefit our students and many clubs and associations in the region” said Mr Heath. “We have upgraded the AGP changing rooms, installed an acoustic barrier on the 4G pitch and had the flooring renewed in our sports hall”.

The sports hall will also benefit from a LED efficient lighting upgrade in the October half term.

John Spence Community High School strive to make students reach their potential.John Spence Community High School strive to make students reach their potential.
John Spence Community High School strive to make students reach their potential.

John Spence is the lead school and governing body of the North East Partnership SCITT; a specialist physical education teacher training provider, offering secondary and primary, postgraduate training places.

This summer, John Spence began construction of a bespoke SCITT teaching and learning facility “to benefit both teachers of the future and our own students” advises Mr Heath.

There are more exciting additions planned for Autumn, including an external canopied catering unit and seating area to be installed in the school yard, providing additional dining space.

Visit the website for more.

Related topics:ArtsAutumn