Take a tour of new Bishop’s Stortford High School campus at St James’ Park estate

Kate Peacock, who is doing work experience at the Indie, was invited along to The Bishop’s Stortford High School - which she attended for sixth form - to see how things are going at the school’s new state-of-the-art campus on the St James’ Park estate following the autumn move from its 1960s base in London Road

It’s a “new school, same spirit,” says head teacher Dale Reeve.

Despite years of ongoing delays and developments, The Bishop’s Stortford High School (TBSHS) has completed its first term at its Beaumont Avenue campus. The school vacated its beloved old site, originally opened in 1957, and officially moved this August.

Its three-storey block, situated on the new St James’ Park housing estate, gives students access to kitted-out science labs, warm study areas and, for the first time, a designated dining hall.

Classrooms have been decorated with educational posters and prints, bringing a fresh vibrancy to the halls. Still to be completed is the sports hall, which is expected to be opening in January.

Getting here has been no easy journey, with construction of the site consistently facing setbacks. Initial delays began in 2022 when underground flooding meant the entire structure of the school had to be redesigned.

Then the construction company, ISG, went into administration this September. The onset of delays that followed forced the school to postpone the start of term by two days.

Mr Reeve said the relocation has been “fairly stressful”. Moving everything from the original site was a huge challenge for the staff. Mr Reeve said it was “like clearing out the loft of your house, if you can imagine that on 100 times the scale.”

Nostalgia associated with the old school made the move harder. Mr Reeve said everything stored there has been around for generations and that having to throw a lot of it away was incredibly difficult for many teachers.

He said initially some staff were anxious about the move. TBSHS’ near 70-year life on London Road produced many memories for staff and students alike, cultivating a strong ethos upon its grounds.

The ‘black and gold spirit’ that it is known for was fostered by Ian Shaw throughout his time as head teacher from 1980 to 1998. During this time, TBSHS transformed from a low-performing school into a well-respected institution that generated pride amongst its cohort.

Mr Shaw sadly passed away in 2019, but his legacy is written within the corridors of the old school and is slowly being etched into its new home too.

Staff have worked hard to preserve its history throughout the move, ensuring the honours boards, which list recipients of subject awards dating back to the 1980s, found a place here.

As sport has always been a central part of the school’s ethos, a half-built sports hall is no small hindrance. Mr Reeve highlights how teachers have adapted the curriculum, making the most of outdoor sports while they can and even using the old sports hall for netball fixtures. He said the school’s interest and engagement in sport has been unwavering.

Being part of a new housing estate also comes with some challenges as school traffic has proved cumbersome for neighbouring residents. Parents too have struggled with managing to park at the site, particularly when attending busy events and parents evenings.

With visitor parking spaces now nearly complete and continued negotiations with the local authorities, Mr Reeve is hopeful that traffic will begin to flow more smoothly throughout St James’ Park.

For the students, many felt that it was strange to be in a new building at first but they feel much more comfortable now.

Ellie, a Year 13 student, said: “Once the classrooms were decorated, it felt much more like school again.”

Year 11 pupil Finn echoed this, saying: “At first it definitely felt like some kind of hospital, but now it's much more inviting.”

Harrison, in Year 13, had spent six years in the old school building and still felt a strong attachment to it. He said: “Really, in our final year we have to move?”

But students like Harrison are becoming accustomed to the new campus, grateful for additional quiet study spaces and subject-specific classrooms, giving each subject its own home.

When asked if they found the delay at the start of term stressful, students laughed and all agreed that they were grateful for an extended summer break.

For Mr Reeve, the pupils’ gratitude is the greatest asset of the new school.

He said: “Students have always been proud to attend TBSHS, but now you can visibly see that they are proud of the school site too.

“That’s my favourite feature - that the students are proud to be here.”

Kate Peacock, 24, is doing work experience at the Indie. The Sawbridgeworth resident, who went to Leventhorpe School before attending The Bishop’s Stortford High School for sixth form, is studying for a masters degree in international journalism at City, University of London.