St Ivo Academy in St Ives has officially opened its newly refurbished Sixth Form centre, welcoming students into a state-of-the-art facility designed to support A Level, BTEC, and vocational studies in a modern, university-style environment.
The red ribbon was cut by St Ives Mayor, Councillor Julie Kerr and Principal of St Ivo, Tony Meneaugh, at a special event on Thursday 4th September, attended by staff, governors, students, parents and other members of the local community.
Completed over the summer, the project was shaped by extensive consultation with students, staff, the wider school community and the trust.
The result is a transformed educational space that combines quiet study areas, collaborative zones, and vibrant social spaces – all designed to help students thrive both academically and personally.
The centre is also housing a piece of artwork by former student, Kiera Hufford, who is very proud to see her work displayed there; Kiera is now off to the University of Bath to study Art.
This year’s Year 12 and Year 13 students at St Ivo Sixth Form are delighted with the new centre and look forward to embracing all its facilities.
Zara, a Year 13 student studying English Literature, History and Textiles, said: “The new sixth form is a great new environment allowing students to have a quiet study area to continue with their own studies as well as a welcoming and mature area to socialise.”
Biri, a Year 13 student studying Psychology, Photography, Sociology, added: “The new sixth form has a great communal area to socialise with friends as well as a calm space to study which is exclusive to the sixth formers. I am looking forward to embracing this new environment.”
Principal at St Ivo, Tony Meneaugh welcomed students into the new centre on their first day of term, describing it as “a significant step forward” for post-16 education in the region.
Mr Meneaugh commented: “I was pleased to welcome so many people from the school, academy trust central team, Local Governing Committee, Parents Advisory Committee, and especially the local community, come along to celebrate the ‘Grand Reopening’ of our refurbished sixth form centre on Thursday.
“This is a huge investment in the futures of our young people in St Ives and demonstrates everyone’s commitment to the St Ivo Academy Sixth Form being the preferred post-16 destination for our community.”
Rowena Hackwood, CEO of Astrea Academy Trust, said: “This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to delivering a brilliant education across our academies and, in particular, to supporting our Cambridgeshire sixth forms.
“It is vital that students and staff at St Ivo have access to modern, inspiring spaces and I am delighted that this new Sixth Form Centre is now open for them to enjoy.”
