Last year, the addition of the pedestrian gate at the front of the school transformed site safety. It is fantastic to fully separate pedestrians and vehicles so that everyone can move around the site safely. Originally the pedestrian gate had an auto-closer arm, which closed the gate when it was not in use. However this system has had a number of faults in the 12 months it was in operation and is no longer recommended. The gate now needs to be closed manually by all users. If you do see it left open, please can you pull it closed so that the magnetic lock can engage.

We are so lucky to have beautiful, extensive grounds here at Andoversford. The huge field, playground and nature area are truly unique for a school of our size. We definitely make the most of our surroundings! The pure size of the site, does mean that it is more difficult to monitor the identity and movement of visitors arriving on site. It is for this reason that only authorised people are admitted onto the school site. Staff at school are not able to open the gate for visitors to The Ark, nor are staff at The Ark able to open the gates for visitors to the school. This is because we cannot fully monitor who those visitors are or where they go once they are let through the gate. Everyone is working hard to ensure that the school remains as safe as possible for our pupils under our safeguarding duties.

School Staff open the gates (front and back) from 8:40 to 8:50 each day to welcome pupils into school. Both gates are opened just before 3:10 at the end of the day for parents to collect their children. We also open both gates for whole school events, e.g. before a performance that all parents are invited to. If you arrive on site at any other time, please make sure you come to the front gate and use the buzzer to announce your arrival.

Thank you for supporting us to keep pupils and staff safe while at school.