Spades in for £38m Nottinghamshire school reboot
Willmott Dixon has started work on the redevelopment of Outwood Academy Kirkby in Nottinghamshire, which will see the existing 1970s buildings replaced with a new secondary school and sixth form for 900 pupils.
Designed by ADP Architecture, the new campus will include specialist teaching spaces for science, drama and technology, alongside upgraded external provision such as an all-weather pitch and multi-use games courts. Plans also include new social areas for students.
Outwood Academy Kirkby is Willmott Dixon’s third school for Outwood Grange Academies Trust, following the completion of Outwood Academy Danum in Doncaster and Outwood Academy Hemsworth in Wakefield.
Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “Willmott Dixon has a strong track record of delivering sustainable schools across the country, including the UK’s first Passivhaus Plus school for the London Borough of Sutton.
“Aligning the new Outwood Academy Kirkby with the DfE’s latest output specification will help ensure the building is fit for the future. Much of the social value we deliver throughout the construction phase will be focused on helping prepare local students for their own future careers.”
Andy Scruby, Lead Principal at Outwood Academy Kirkby, added: “This is a historic milestone for Outwood Academy Kirkby. Following our recent Ofsted rating and national recognition for transformation, this new building is a pivotal piece of the puzzle.
“It ensures our students and our wider community will have access to the very best facilities to support their learning, creativity and physical well-being.”
Construction will be delivered in phases to minimise disruption. A temporary teaching block will be installed, allowing the school to continue operating alongside existing sports facilities until the new building is completed for the 2028/29 academic year.
Once the new school is operational, the existing buildings will be demolished to make way for the final phase of external sports provision.
