Sir Harry Smith Community College

Sir Harry Smith Community College is a secondary school in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. Opened in 1954 on the former site of the Whittlesea Workhouse, which was demolished in the 1930s, the College is named after 19th Century English Army General Sir Harry Smith who was born in Whittlesey, and whose grave is situated in the cemetery adjacent to the school. The college specialises in science and mathematics.

The school was noted for its racing car project, headed by Mr. Kneeshaw, who, with a team of mechanics, built a biofuel car to be entered into the 2008 Silverstone 24 hour race.

The school raised over £1400 in 2008 for 'Children in Need' and broke the world record for the largest number of people doing the Conga at once, beating the previous record by 10 people. During Children In Need the previous year, the school broke the world record for the most people performing the children's song, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.

After headteacher Michael Sandeman left in 2007, former teacher Laurie Richards temporarily took the role until the end of the 2007-2008 academic year. In September 2008, he retired after over 40 years at the school and former deputy head of nearby Ramsey Abbey School Jonathan Digby was appointed.

Additions and Improvements

 

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, many improvements and extensions were made to the school's DT, Music, Drama, P.E. and English blocks. On 14 May 2009, the new 'Laurie Richards Community Centre' opened. In recent times a special support unit named after Eastenders actor David Proud, who attended the school, has also been added.

Plans for major refurbishment of most of the school are part of the Fenland Building Schools for the Future scheme. Detailed plans were submitted to Cambridgeshire County Council in February 2011. They include a large extension to accommodate classrooms and Supportive Skills rooms, a modern, glass-walled eatery and a new Drama Studio on the front of the main building. Other alterations are to be carried out inside, such as the creation of new science laborotories, seminar rooms, and the refurbishment of some existing classrooms. A large overhaul of the heating and electrics is planned too.

Work commenced in August 2011, beginning with the relocation of two mobile units. In early September the caretaker's house was demolished to make room for the contractor's site compound. The site will eventually provide extra car parking. Construction of the new classroom block began shortly after, followed by the refurbishment of four classrooms in late October. These rooms were relocated to mobile classrooms on the playground. In November, the cycle sheds were moved and a new block paving entrance path formed.

Notable Former Students

• Micky Gynn, FA cup winning footballer
• David Proud, Former Eastenders Actor, after whom the school's SEN suite is named