Going green

We’re going all eco-friendly at ag6, where we are currently laying a green roof over the kitchen. It’s an environmentally friendly way of harvesting rainwater by covering a roof area with grass over a waterproofing membrane, which absorbs rainwater and provides insulation. We can then recycle the rainwater and use it to flush the toilets and water the green areas.

The curtain walling system is also nearing completion on the outside of the building ready for the ‘active’ self-cleaning glass to be delivered next week.

Another section of the road has been tarmacked and we’ve handed over the cycle path to the school.

Internally, we’ve started painting the upper floors of the building and the mock-up classroom is being prepared ready for the students return after half term.

The mock-up classroom will feature everything you would expect, carpets, fitted furniture, tables and seats to show the current students, parents and teachers what the finished rooms might look like. It also gives the school a chance to change any of the final touches.

Have a great half-term ag6 students and we look forward to showing you one of your new ag6 classrooms when you get back.

I think it's safe to say ag6 is on its way...

Check out the latest photo of ag6.

We have power

It’s only 10 weeks until Christmas so the race is on to get the building ship shape.

We have installed electricity meters in the building and now we have light. Gas and water will also be fitted in the next couple of weeks.

Internally, plastering and painting have started and we expect the floor coverings to be laid shortly. The building really is taking shape.

Externally, the perimeter roads are progressing well and we can begin to commence with the Calder road section this week.

And more good news, we hope to get the ‘mock-up’ room ready in the next couple of weeks to give prospective students and parents a taster of ag6.

Moving swiftly on…

So things are moving pretty quickly up at the new sixth form building and the roof scaffolding is about to come off.

All external block work of the building has been completed, and most of the windows have been installed – phew!

We have also been progressing quickly with the outer ring road, where a third of it has been laid already and final connections for the drainage system are being installed this week.

Things are also taking shape inside. We’ve been cooking up a storm in the kitchen area and nearly all internal partitions are in position.

The Horticulture students have been using their new area, which we finished a couple of weeks ago, so it’s great to see some of our handy work being used and appreciated.

Check out our latest photo of the building.

AG6 opens its doors

The new sixth form has opened its doors at Lea Brook in Rawtenstall, until the new ag6 building is complete.

The new sixth formers started off the week doing all sorts of fun things including a murder mystery morning, enrichment fair, site visits, outdoor adventure trip to Hothersall Lodge and student council elections to help them ease into sixth from life.

Jo Griffiths, Head of Sixth Form, said: “We wanted this first week to be about getting to know ag6, setting the tone and the ethos of the sixth form. We want to let our students know that we are a continuation of and complement to the main school, but we are a more grown up version. We’ve asked students to wear smart, professional work clothes.”

“Work on the new building is going well and we are on target to open at the end of the year. As part of their first day students were given a tour of the new building – so they could see how work is progressing. The external building work is nearing completion and the partitions on the inside have been put up so things are really starting to take shape.

“The opening of our sixth form has been a long time coming – it’s quite a momentous occasion.”

No rest for the builders

After the glorious sunshine last week – we have been moving quickly and the building is really starting to take shape inside and outside.

Good news – the horticultural area is almost complete, just in time for the new sixth form students. It’s a great facility, which we’re sure the students will really appreciate.

Most of the window frames will be installed by the end of next week and the glass plating soon after.

We also hope to start cladding the main envelope roof this week as well as progressing with the external works.

The lower playing field has also been leveled out in the area around St.Paul's Constablee Lee Primary School.

The doors are now open to AG6

We are celebrating the opening of our sixth form doors for the very first time to students in the area this week.

Named ‘ag6’, the new sixth form, has already confirmed 81 students will be attending, which is temporarily housed in Lea Brook School on Burnley Road.

As you know, the new £8m four-storey building is due to be completed in December and will eventually cater for up to 300 students.

Head teacher Iain Hulland can’t wait to welcome the new sixth formers and says: “ag6 has been designed to provide a holistic environment for our students which combines everything a young adult needs to thrive in the 21st century world.

“Our aim is to enrich our students not only intellectually but also socially, physically, and emotionally. We are offering all academic A level courses and, as part of our Applied Learning

School status, students can also streamline vocational choice with A levels.

“In fact, we will be the only sixth form in Rossendale to offer students a wide ranging combination of high quality traditional A levels and equally high quality Applied Learning qualifications that are valued locally, nationally and globally.

“The new state-of-the-art centre has been designed with this in mind and will include everything from science laboratories, a media studio and performance space to nursery and creche facilities for child development students, as well as ICT and library facilities.

“This is an exciting new chapter in the life of Alder Grange and we look forward to welcoming our new sixth formers this week.”