Plans to demolish and rebuild school revealed

A school is set to be demolished and rebuilt, according to planning documents.

The Outwood Academy, in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, is made up of a series of 1970s buildings which are felt to have reached the end of their useful life.

Plans outline a three-storey teaching block and two-storey sports hall, with two all-weather sports areas.

If approved, the work is expected to start in spring 2025, with the new buildings ready by the end of 2027.

The academy, which has about 900 students, has been identified for a comprehensive redevelopment as part of the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme (SRP).

It is expected the school will continue to operate during the construction period.

In order to do so, there will be a phased approach to development, including the installation of temporary classrooms, phased demolition, phased construction and site restoration works.

The development will be divided into two main phases based on a north-south split of the site.

Work will see 179 trees planted across the site, while 29 will be removed.

The plans have been submitted to Ashfield District Council, and will be determined at a later date.

The SRP started under the previous government, and the county council recently asked for assurances the Labour government would honour existing pledges to rebuild schools.

Nine other county schools are on the waiting list.

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