Glossopdale Sixth Form is on the move

Glossopdale School and Sixth Form are gearing up for the opening of the new college building ahead of the new academic year. 

Due to open in September, it will mean the sixth form is separate from the main school for the first time, something that pupils have been calling for according to Fionula Flaherty, one of the school's senior leaders. 

She added: “It’s a response to student voice. One of the most important things for them is that they have their own bespoke building. The sixth form is currently based on the top floor, so it’s quite separate and they do have their own facilities, but it’s still part of the main building.” 

The new sixth form will use renovated classrooms in an existing on-site annex, with the addition of a contemporary media and photography suite. 

“We’re not just moving into the building as it is,” said Daniel Peate, Head of Sixth Form. “There’s a significant amount of investment going into it, which we applied for through our trust in order to do these works. 

“Every other school with a sixth form in Derbyshire, apart from one other, has their own building. So it was something that we wanted to replicate here in Glossop, to give students that same experience they’d get elsewhere.” 

There will also be a food pod with a different menu from the main school, which will be staffed throughout the day; a new common room with coffee-making facilities; and an outdoor area for the exclusive use of sixth formers. 

They are also keen to stress the difference between Glossopdale’s homelier feel versus the larger campuses in Tameside and Stockport. 

“We’re not the same as the big colleges,” Fionula said. “We’re smaller, we’re more bespoke, and everybody gets to know everybody. It’s a very caring, very warm environment.” 

The sixth form has recently been rated 'Good' by Ofsted for the third time.

Headteacher Debbie McGloin added: "All of our sixth form students go on to their chosen destination, whether that be university or degree apprenticeships. We're always very proud of all of our students."