Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois recently cut a ribbon to officially open FitzWimarc School’s new sixth form block in the presence of staff, students and other guests.
The school has been working on the sixth form project for some two years, strongly supported by Mark as the local MP. The new sixth form began taking pupils in September, at the beginning of the 2016/17 academic year and now has just over 100 pupils on its books. The opening of the sixth form at FitzWimarc follows a similar development at Sweyne Park School two years ago.
The opening ceremony was introduced by Mr Robert Harris, the Head teacher at FitzWimarc School, who has been a real drive behind the sixth form project and he was supported by Mr Steve Jolley the Head of Sixth Form, who now leads this new element of the school. In his own remarks, Mark praised all those involved with the development of the project and commended FitzWimarc for now providing additional choice for young people to continue their education in the Rayleigh area, rather than having to look further afield.
Speaking about opening the new sixth form Mark said:
“I am a firm supporter of sixth forms and as the local MP I have backed this project from the outset. I was really proud to be asked to undertake this important duty, to mark a really significant development for this town. This further expansion of educational choice for the young people of Rayleigh is to be very much welcomed and I congratulate the school, governors, the staff, and pupils and in particular Mr Harris for everything they have done to make this dream a reality. I hope that many people will now enjoy studying at FitzWimarc’s sixth form for many years to come.”