New Pre-Prep And Nursery
Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire Shepherdess, recently opened Rossall School’s state-of-the-art new Pre-Prep and Nursery provision
With the highest pupil roll in the school’s history, Rossall has opened a fantastic Nursery and Pre-Prep to cope with the unprecedented surge in demand. The stunning new facilities have been designed by Rossall School’s own Head of Design and Technology, Lee Hodgetts and students in the Senior School have also contributed. The original building was constructed in the early 1990s but burgeoning numbers meant that a radical redesign was needed to ensure bright contemporary learning spaces reflective of the school’s commitment to inquiry-led learning.
The striking design of the interior embraces much of the latest thinking in terms of classroom design. The provision of a technologically enriched environment is complemented by the free flow of spaces that exploit the beautiful natural landscape within which the building is situated. Headmaster, Jeremy Quartermain states: “Our ambition was to design a building that would provide young children with a wonderful space within which to learn and play.
“Lee’s creative response to the brief has resulted in the creation of a building that undoubtedly has the ‘wow’ factor. Most importantly our pupils and their parents have fallen in love with its many unique features such as the bespoke purpose-built play equipment.
“Rossall is an incredible community and today marks the summation of so much hard work and dedication on the part of our staff. Throughout lockdown, our support staff have been our absolute heroes, and this building provides a tangible expression of their love and dedication to our community. In particular, I should thank Andy Edwards for his spectacular creations.”
The Nursery, which now includes a Baby Room, currently has a waiting list and regularly receives rave reviews across a range of media platforms. 2021 will see a record number of pupils enter the school’s Reception Class. Parents are drawn to the wonderful environment which includes Graeme’s Garden – a school petting farm – and a beach school and forest school. The emphasis upon wellbeing and the provision of a holistic curriculum is reflected in every aspect of the building. It is clear that the provision has resonated very well with current parents. One parent commented: “The staff in the Nursery and Pre-Prep have always been amazing but these new facilities provide such an excellent environment. The variety of activities means we are confident that Rossall is providing the best possible start in life for our children.”
Opening the facility, the ‘Yorkshire Shepherdess’, Amanda Owen said she was honoured and enjoyed meeting the children in the Pre-Prep School. Amanda presented prizes at the Prep School Prize Day and her observations on childhood resonated with much of the philosophy underpinning the curriculum in the Prep School.
Rossall School has enjoyed a bumper year which has been capped by outstanding academic results in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and being shortlisted twice in the Independent School of the Year Awards.
Prep School Headmaster, Matt Turner concludes: “The strength of our provision, coupled with our staff, is why we are viewed as the nursery and school first choice across the Fylde and Lancashire.”
For a private tour contact Lisa Rhodes, Prep School and Nursery Registrar on: l.rhodes@rossall.org.uk
Rossall School
Broadway, Fleetwood FY7 8JW
01253 774201
rossall.org.uk
