Ageing Nottinghamshire school set to be ripped down ahead of new 'catalyst' project

It will take three years for its replacement to be finished, but officials say it will revitalise the area

An ageing Nottinghamshire school is set to be ripped down so a newly-revealed 'catalyst' project can take its place. Plans have been unveiled to totally rebuild Outwood Academy, in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, as part of a Government programme to fix or replace crumbling school buildings.

The Tennyson Street secondary school and sixth form will be replaced through the Department for Education's (DfE) School Rebuilding Programme, which is only available to schools built using dangerous construction types, that need major repairs, are in a severe condition, or have had issues that could harm pupils or staff.

Planning documents submitted to Ashfield District Council outline that all of the school's current buildings would be torn down to make way for a three-storey teaching block, which would provide 46 new classrooms, and a two-storey sports hall.

The completed school, which would be built in multiple stages so pupils can continue learning during construction, will accommodate up to 900 students. The different phases of demolition and development will be split across two main phases based on a north-south split of the site and will take around three years to finish, according to planning documents.

Work is expected to begin in March 2025, with this first element of construction including the installation of temporary classrooms, the removal of asbestos, and demolition and clearance of structures on the northern part of the school's grounds. The final stage in March to July 2028 will see the school building handed over to Outwood Grange Academies Trust, which runs the academy, ready for it to open for the September 2028 intake of students.

It would also have a new 12,260 square metre all-weather pitch to south of the site and a 2,000 square metre sports court to the south east. Planning agents for Willmott Dixon, which has been appointed by the DfE to erect the new school, said: "Kirkby is a growing area, and the new school project serves as a catalyst for its regeneration.

"This important project aims to revitalise the town by addressing educational needs. The design will capture key views of the building and surrounding landscape to enhance aesthetic appeal.

"Given the constrained site, careful consideration will be given to neighbours and boundary treatments to minimise disruption. Access routes will be planned to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow during construction and after completion."

The project's architects explained the design of the building aimed to put schoolchildren first by minimising visual and acoustic distractions so pupils can focus on learning. The planning application is pending consideration by Ashfield District Council.