'Hooray' - major John O'Gaunt School refurb begins
Work is finally under way on a facelift for the school, plus a new library, internet café, entrance halls and signs.
In addition, there will be landscaping of the grounds and a new main entrance.
Headteacher Sarah Brinkley used social networking sites to shout: “Building work begins – hooray!”
West Berkshire Council education portfolio holder, Irene Neill (Con, Aldermaston), said: “There has been a feeling in Hungerford in the past that we have not committed ourselves to John O’Gaunt and this is us doing just that.
“It will hopefully get the message across that we’ve no intention of losing the school and just spending money elsewhere.
“As well as the new, modern library and revamped school hall, there will be an open courtyard and communal area between them.
“The new hall, in particular, will be very beneficial not only to the school, but also to the local community, which will use it.”
She added: “The whole school will have a more modern look.
“When we spent money on the science block at The Downs School [in Compton] and disabled unit at [Thatcham’s] Kennet School a few years ago, we didn’t have enough money left for John O’Gaunt and the school lost out.
“It wasn’t deliberately treated like Cinderella and hopefully this demonstrates our commitment.”
Planning chiefs gave the go-ahead last December for the first tranche of works.
More will be done in the summer holidays and refurbishment work has been timed to minimise disruption to the smooth running of the school.
Mrs O’Neill heaped praise on Mrs Brinkley, describing her as an “inspirational leader and a superb headteacher with really positive ideas for the future.”
A spokeswoman for Hungerford Education Active Response (HEAR), Tina Harrigan-James, said: “This was one of the short-term proposals we put forward in a report last year – that the education authority should honour its previous commitment to investment.
“Having that secured and work being under way demonstrates to the community that the council has faith in the school and confidence in it moving forward.
“John O’Gaunt has to compete with larger schools in neighbouring areas and investment in infrastructure and modern technology will certainly boost morale.”
