Old and new celebrated at SFX

St Francis Xavier’s College (SFX) has opened its newly refurbished sixth form facilities which pays homage to its rich history.

The sixth form centre is the final piece in the school’s £7.6 million development and forms an integral part of college life.

A new catering area, aptly named ‘Café 1842’, celebrates the year the college was founded and a timeline mural on the wall tracks the key milestones throughout its 174 years as an education institution.

SFX College has a fine tradition of preparing young men and women for higher education and the world of work. The new facilities were created to aid this further, with two dedicated study zones and an updated common room which boasts computers, internet and Wi-Fi access.

A large part of the building work focused on updating the catering area with a coffeehouse style, which is now known as ‘Café 1842’. By working with catering provider Chartwells, the space has been transformed to offer sixth formers a modern, high quality place to enjoy throughout the school day.

The new catering facilities emphasis the common room’s hub of activity for the Sixth Form, which is regularly used for assemblies, charity events, coffee mornings and many extra-curricular activities and study groups.

To coincide with the college’s newly-completed facilities, which also include a science block, sports complex and music suite, the sixth form curriculum has been updated to take full advantage of the amenities on offer.

New pathways in sport and business mean that a student with a special aptitude in those areas can devote their entire curriculum to their specialism, along with individualised programmes of study, work experience and progression tuition.

Les Rippon, headteacher at St Francis Xavier’s College, said: “I am so pleased with the new facilities which emphasis our proud history and forward-thinking outlook. The vibrant space will ensure our sixth formers have a rewarding and fulfilling time at this most crucial stage of their development.

“This modernisation coincides with our new and improved curriculum offer, which now covers an impressive array of A-level and BTEC subjects which can be combined to provide the perfect route in to higher education or employment.”