Job swap at Hamond's High as school's £11m transformation nears completion

Added: 07/10/2008
Category: Norfolk County Council

Students at Hamond's High School will be in for a surprise this week when their headteacher dons her hardhat as part of a one-off job swap.

Yve Srodzinski will take over as site manager on the school's £11m redevelopment project on Wednesday 8 October and will be supervising the removal of mobile classrooms and quality checking the school's new graphics room.

Meanwhile, John Potter, site manager for building contractor Mansell, will take on the headship of the school for the day, leading the school's 805 pupils. He will attend meetings with the school's leadership team and also meet with the school council.

The job swap is being organised during National Customer Service Week and will give Mr Potter a chance to sit in the shoes of his customer. It will also give Ms Srodzinski an opportunity to experience the challenges faced by those working to improve the school.

Norfolk County Council is funding the transformation of Hamond's High School, which has seen the creation of a new sixth form centre, art block and hall. The project has taken place over 12 phases and began in 2006. It has been designed and project managed by NPS Property Consultants Ltd.

Much of the work is now complete and the project is entering its final phase. Since the beginning of term all students have been taught in permanent classrooms, with mobile classrooms now being removed from the site.

Rosalie Monbiot, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: “This has been a huge project and we know it will be of huge benefit to many generations of Norfolk youngsters. We are committed to investing in the education of the county's young people and have funded £200m of improvements to Norfolk's schools over the last three years.

The job swap at Hamond's is a fantastic opportunity for the headteacher and site manager to experience the challenges they each face in their daily roles and to lead by example in showing students the benefits of practical learning. It will give both parties a greater understanding of the similarities and differences in their professions and they will be able to share their experiences with students.”

Yve Srodzinski, headteacher, said: “We have a fantastic working relationship with Mansell and I am thrilled that the developments to the building are beginning to all come together. The new facilities will provide wonderful learning opportunities for the children of Swaffham and I am sure they will help to raise students' aspirations and attainment.

“I am looking forward to the job swap on Wednesday and the opportunity it will give me to explore the detailed work that goes on behind the scenes to make a scheme such as this a success. I will also be able to share my experiences with the students and give them a bit of an insight into the workings of the building industry.”

John Potter, site manager said: “This is a marvellous opportunity for us to see life from the 'other side of the desk'. We are very well aware of the disruption our work can create, particularly on a project of this size. The school staff and pupils have been excellent and have worked very hard with the site staff to establish a very productive working relationship. The role swap can only enhance this process and hopefully, will be great fun too!”