On Friday 20th May 2022 we officially opened our fantastic new building, 'The Turing Building'. The building is home to Maths, Science and Art Design Technology, otherwise known as 'STEM' subjects. It seemed appropriate to name the building in honour of Alan Turing whose achievements in World War 2 operations locally at Bletchley Park were firmly rooted in STEM subjects.

We welcomed fomer pupil, Commonwealth Games gold medalist and Olympian table tennis player Andrew Baggaley to open the building. We were also joined by Kier construction who built our amazing new facility, as well as the mayor, local councillors, a select few of our parents, members of the Department for Education and staff and trustees from Tove Learning Trust, including CEO Dr Jamie Clarke. Our attendees we welcomed to the new build with the amazing piano playing of Ezra in Year 9. We then heard speeches from Shaun Hodgkin the Operations Director at Kier Construction, Rob Warwick the Project Manager for The Department for Education, Dr Jamie Clarke and Andrew Baggaley. Kier also presented their 'BIM' Technology to explain how the Turing Building was designed and constructed. On the evening we also unvieled a plaque for the building which will serve as a reminder of the grand opening in years to come as well as a signature wall of well wishes from our guests.

The Turing building is equipped with purpose built Food Technology Kitchens, a suite of Art and design rooms, three design technology workshops, specialist science laboratories, an enormous science prep room and many general classrooms. There are 40 classrooms in total so it represents a large part of the school and can accommodate 750 learners at any one time. It is wonderful to be able to deliver our curriculum in purpose built classrooms that are of the correct size and are equipped with the resources that are needed. The impact on the students has been great and they have loved getting back to doing practical lessons. It is great to see students undertaking science experiments, using the machinery in design technology and completing practical cooking lessons in food and nutrition. It really helps to bring learning to life and to see the practical application of the knowledge they have learned.

The old and dilapidated buildings that the new block replaced have now been demolished and will be returned after landscaping to us later in the summer. In time these new outside spaces will be available for students to use at break and lunchtime. 

Here's what some of our students have to say about the new building:

"I like the new facilities as they are bigger and better classrooms. I feel like the new build is all clean and fresh and smells brand new" - Harvey Year 7

"It's new and clean and there is more space and better facilities and it has improved my learning experience loads" - Bolaji Year 9

"In the new build we have new equipment in the Science labs and for DT meaning we get to do more practicals and understand things better visually" - Mathusha Year 9

"I like the new building because it is cleaner and brighter. The computers and facilities have helped me in Photography and now most of my lessons are close together" - Millie Year 10

"The new building is good because the classrooms are very spacious, making them less crowded and more accessible. Professional Science equipment has also been installed meaning we can do more practical experiments" - Paris Year 10

Take a look at some of the images from the grand opening below and to watch a video of the event click here (video by Bernie Raffe).