Fortem to create new post-16 common room at Ashgate Croft School

Fortem are assisting Ashgate Croft School, in Chesterfield, in transforming their ‘Pod’ classroom into a new post-16 learning environment and common room area.

Ashgate Croft School is a Special Educational Needs school that currently has 140 pupils on role.

The new common room will include a kitchen area which will allow a group of pupils to prepare simple meals and lunches independently, in order to help their transition to life after school.

As part of the refurbishment, Fortem are assisting with electricity and heating systems to meet the needs of the students. New external doors, windows and flooring will be installed, with a new door leading to a fenced garden, creating a safe outdoor place for the pupils.

Richard Windle, Teacher at Ashgate Croft Primary School, said: “As a school we are always evolving to improve our provision and outcomes for our fantastic students. Over the last few years in the current economic climate, this has proved to be very challenging.”

“The work pledged by Fortem to refurbish our common room will increase opportunities and improve the life skills of our students for years to come, this will truly change the learning environment and be a legacy in our school for generations.”

Tom Nicholson, Quantity Surveyor from Fortem, said: “We’re delighted that we have the opportunity to support Ashgate Croft School in refurbishing their ‘Pod’. We’re really looking forward to getting started, and seeing what a positive difference it will have to both the staff and students of the school.

“It’s extremely satisfying knowing that we can assist in preparing and improving the life skills of young adults for life outside school, and providing them with a safe environment to do this in.”

Since 2017, when Fortem began working in Chesterfield, their social value investment has been £3,044. This has included work across five customer centred projects and offering work experience to local young people.