Sir Harry Smith Community College
Encyclopedia
Sir Harry Smith Community College is a secondary school in Whittlesey
, Cambridgeshire
. Opened in 1954 on the former site of the Whittlesea
Workhouse, which was demolished in the 1930s, the College is named after 19th Century English Army General Sir Harry Smith who was born in Whittlesey, and whose grave is situated in the cemetery adjacent to the school. The college specialises in science and mathematics.
The school was noted for its racing car project, headed by Mr. Kneeshaw, who, with a team of mechanics, built a biofuel car to be entered into the 2008 Silverstone 24 hour race.
The school raised over £1400 in 2008 for 'Children in Need' and broke the world record for the largest number of people doing the Conga at once, beating the previous record by 10 people. During Children In Need
the previous year, the school broke the world record for the most people performing the children's song, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
.
After headteacher Michael Sandeman left in 2007, former teacher Laurie Richards temporarily took the role until the end of the 2007-2008 academic year. In September 2008, he retired after over 40 years at the school and former deputy head of nearby Ramsey Abbey School Jonathan Digby was appointed.
actor David Proud
, who attended the school, has also been added.
Plans for major refurbishment of most of the school are part of the Fenland Building Schools for the Future
scheme. Detailed plans were submitted to Cambridgeshire County Council
in February 2011. They include a large extension to accommodate classrooms and Supportive Skills rooms, a modern, glass-walled eatery and a new Drama Studio on the front of the main building. Other alterations are to be carried out inside, such as the creation of new science laborotories, seminar rooms, and the refurbishment of some existing classrooms. A large overhaul of the heating and electrics is planned too.
Work commenced in August 2011, beginning with the relocation of two mobile units. In early September the caretaker's house was demolished to make room for the contractor's site compound. The site will eventually provide extra car parking. Construction of the new classroom block began shortly after, followed by the refurbishment of four classrooms in late October. These rooms were relocated to mobile classrooms on the playground. In November, the cycle sheds were moved and a new block paving entrance path formed.
Whittlesey
Whittlesey, historically known as Whittlesea as the name of the railway station is still spelt, or Witesie, is an ancient Fenland market town around six miles east of Peterborough in the county of Cambridgeshire in England...
, Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
. Opened in 1954 on the former site of the Whittlesea
Whittlesea
Whittlesea may mean:* Whittlesea, Victoria, a town some 40 km north of Melbourne.* City of Whittlesea, the local government area that contains it* Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire, England used to be known as Whittlesea...
Workhouse, which was demolished in the 1930s, the College is named after 19th Century English Army General Sir Harry Smith who was born in Whittlesey, and whose grave is situated in the cemetery adjacent to the school. The college specialises in science and mathematics.
The school was noted for its racing car project, headed by Mr. Kneeshaw, who, with a team of mechanics, built a biofuel car to be entered into the 2008 Silverstone 24 hour race.
The school raised over £1400 in 2008 for 'Children in Need' and broke the world record for the largest number of people doing the Conga at once, beating the previous record by 10 people. During Children In Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
the previous year, the school broke the world record for the most people performing the children's song, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes is a children's song.-Description:Like many songs, it can be sung with slightly different variations, but there is generally only one verse, with lyrics similar to those below. The second line repeats the first line both in words and in melody, the third line has a...
.
After headteacher Michael Sandeman left in 2007, former teacher Laurie Richards temporarily took the role until the end of the 2007-2008 academic year. In September 2008, he retired after over 40 years at the school and former deputy head of nearby Ramsey Abbey School Jonathan Digby was appointed.
Additions and Improvements
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, many improvements and extensions were made to the school's DT, Music, Drama, P.E. and English blocks. On 14 May 2009, the new 'Laurie Richards Community Centre' opened. In recent times a special support unit named after EastendersEastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
actor David Proud
David Proud
David Proud is an English actor. He was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. He only began his acting career during his early twenties, having previously believed that it would be impossible for him to have a career in that field. His first professional acting role was as a wheelchair...
, who attended the school, has also been added.
Plans for major refurbishment of most of the school are part of the Fenland Building Schools for the Future
Building Schools for the Future
Building Schools for the Future is the name of the previous UK Government's investment programme in secondary school buildings in England. The program is very ambitious in its costs, timescales and objectives, with politicians from all English political parties supportive of the principle but...
scheme. Detailed plans were submitted to Cambridgeshire County Council
Cambridgeshire County Council
Cambridgeshire County Council is the county council of Cambridgeshire, England. The council currently consists of 69 councillors, representing 60 electoral divisions. The Conservative Party has a majority on the council, having gained control in the 1997 local elections...
in February 2011. They include a large extension to accommodate classrooms and Supportive Skills rooms, a modern, glass-walled eatery and a new Drama Studio on the front of the main building. Other alterations are to be carried out inside, such as the creation of new science laborotories, seminar rooms, and the refurbishment of some existing classrooms. A large overhaul of the heating and electrics is planned too.
Work commenced in August 2011, beginning with the relocation of two mobile units. In early September the caretaker's house was demolished to make room for the contractor's site compound. The site will eventually provide extra car parking. Construction of the new classroom block began shortly after, followed by the refurbishment of four classrooms in late October. These rooms were relocated to mobile classrooms on the playground. In November, the cycle sheds were moved and a new block paving entrance path formed.
Notable Former Students
- Micky GynnMicky GynnMichael "Micky" Gynn is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League for Peterborough United, Coventry City and Stoke City.-Career:...
, FA cup winning footballer - David ProudDavid ProudDavid Proud is an English actor. He was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. He only began his acting career during his early twenties, having previously believed that it would be impossible for him to have a career in that field. His first professional acting role was as a wheelchair...
, Former Eastenders Actor, after whom the school's SEN suite is named