A NEW community manager to develop links in the community and develop adult education has been appointed at a Portishead school. Sally Chorlton has taken up the post as community manager at Gordano School, Portishead. Mrs Chorlton, a former Gordano School

A NEW community manager to develop links in the community and develop adult education has been appointed at a Portishead school.Sally Chorlton has taken up the post as community manager at Gordano School, Portishead.Mrs Chorlton, a former Gordano School governor, will be looking at developing extended schools provision in the town by setting up breakfast and out-of- school clubs so youngsters can be cared for from 8am-6pm.She will also be looking at extending study options for sixth form students and introducing new courses including fitness instruction and Indian head massage.Plans are also in the pipeline to extend the school's adult education programme by increasing courses and use of rooms in the newly built part of the school.Mrs Chorlton said: "Currently I am carrying out an audit of the facilities for extended schools provision in Portishead."It is unlikely there will be a club on every site, but there will be various facilities in the town which can be used by all children."Currently students studying at Gordano Sixth Form have a choice of 25 different courses.Mrs Chorlton said: "We want to increase the courses available and perhaps eventually offer the courses to the wider community."The courses will not only be centred in the school but also from the sports centre."The school is currently undergoing a £8.85 million building and refurbishment, due to be completed this month.The development will see an extension to the science and music departments and a new assembly hall with drama studio and reception and admin area.A new general teaching block will be built and the existing craft, design and technology centre will be partially refurbished.There will be a new library block, the sixth form centre will be refurbished and external performance areas for school productions will be created. Thousands of pounds have been earmarked to improve IT provision, not only for students, but also for the wider community.As a result of the work, which will be funded by money from the Department for Education and Skills, pupil numbers at the school are expected to increase from 1,660 to 1,850.For more information contact Mrs Chorlton at the school on 01275 842606.