Castle View School - New School FAQ

Over the next two years, secondary school education on Canvey Island will experience major changes. Castle View school will relocate to a brand new purpose-built school on the site of the current Furtherwick Park school.

We understand that parents will be concerned that their children's education may suffer during the transition period, so we have been planning for the move for the past two years, and great consideration has been given to how to ensure that the pupils at Castle View do not have their education disrupted during this phase.

As you will have read in the Essex Admissions booklet, Year 7 pupils starting at Castle View School in September 2010 will be based, for their first year, at our new site in the centre of town, the site currently occupied by Furtherwick Park School.

A number of enquiries have been made to Castle View by parents of prospective pupils. In order to share this information, we have decided to publish this page of questions and answers so all parents of pupils at Castle View School, and those thinking of sending their children to Castle View, can get a clear view of what will happen. If further questions are raised, we will add to this page.

Question What is the background to this?

Answer In excess of £60 million is being invested in the education facilities on Canvey Island over the next two years. This will provide two new secondary schools - Castle View and Cornelius Vermuyden - and a vocational centre. Castle View School will be relocating to the centre of town on the site currently occupied by Furtherwick Park School. Initial planning has been taking place for 3 years; construction is due to start in May 2010.

Question When will the two new schools be opened?

Answer January 2012

Question Won't this mean a lot of disruption?

Answer Inevitably there will be some disruption; to benefit from long-term substantial investment of this nature there will be short-term inconvenience. Through thorough planning we shall ensure that pupils' education will not suffer.

Question Why the decision to base some pupils on the new site in 2010?

Answer Both the secondary schools on Canvey Island will be the sites of significant construction projects over a period of 18 months. While Cornelius Vermuyden School has the benefit of a great deal of space to facilitate the reorganisation, Castle View does not. Our current site cannot realistically and safely cope with the projected 1160 pupils on roll. Our new site, currently occupied by Furtherwick Park School will have ample spare accommodation which will be unaffected by the demolition and construction work. With the agreement of the Headteacher and Governors of Furtherwick Park, it has been agreed that one large block will be refurbished for occupation as a base for one whole Castle View year group. Having explored a number of options, the new Year 7 group was selected for a number of sound educational and social reasons.

Question How will it work?

Answer A core of Castle View staff will be permanently based at the town centre site. Other specialist staff will be timetabled to spend part of their time there. A few specialist lessons (e.g. Technology) may need to be taught on the main Castle View site. Transport within the school day will be organised as required. The Year 7 group will

. follow the full National Curriculum programme

. be on the roll of Castle View school

. be taught by Castle View staff

. wear Castle View uniform

. follow Castle View school timings

. be subject to standard Castle View rules and regulations

. have full access to after school activities with transport provided as required.

Question What are the advantages?

Answer Apart from the obvious health and safety implications of having too many pupils on the Castle View site, we believe that Year 7, as a self-contained group, will get to know each other more quickly and more easily. The effective transition to secondary school will be more easily and more quickly achieved, and an important sense of year identity established.

Question Will Furtherwick Park School still be operating?

Answer This is the last year that Furtherwick Park School will operate before it closes on 31 August 2011. It will, for the academic year 2010-2011, have a small core of staff and approximately 70 Year 11 pupils. They will continue to be taught separately by Furtherwick Park staff on the school site.

Question What sports facilities are going to be available for the Year 7 pupils at the Furtherwick site?

Answer All the sports facilities currently available at Castle View School (Sports Hall, gymnasium, football / hockey / rugby fields, hard play areas plus a swimming pool).

Question How will food catering be organised for the pupils at the Futherwick site?

Answer As at Castle View, a full service will be available before school and during each of the breaks

Question What provision for ICT lessons will be available at the Furtherwick site?

Answer There will be a full ICT service connected to the Castle View computer network . This will be exactly the same as the service available to all other pupils at Castle View.

Question Will the Breakfast Club be run at the Town Centre site for Year 7 pupils?

Answer Yes, the Breakfast club will be running exactly the same as at the current Castle View site.

Question What arrangements are being made for lunchtime meals for pupils?

Answer The system will operate exactly the same as it does at Castle View School.

Question How will the Uchoose programme work for pupils at the town centre site?

Answer Some clubs with a Year 7 focus will be made available at the town centre site and will be taught by Castle View staff. Other clubs will be available at the current Castle View site and transport will be provided to get between the two sites

Question When will the design of the new school be available to view?

Answer February 2010

Question Will there be another Open Day to view the new design?

Answer Yes. We will Be arranging a session for parents and pupils in late February