Students celebrate as work begins on new building
Pupils and staff have celebrated the start of work on a £25.5 million building for Shirebrook Academy and Stubbin Wood School.
The 'co-located' building at Shirebrook Academy's site in Common Lane was planned as part of Derbyshire Building Schools for the Future scheme.
Academy facilities include specialist technology areas, science labs, IT, drama and music rooms, and a sports hall. There will also be an external all weather pitch− funded by a £400,000 Football Foundation grant.
It will provide specialist facilities for Stubbin Wood School students, aged four to 19 years, including a hydrotherapy pool, therapy suite, and sensory rooms.
The two schools will share many parts of the building including the dining hall, teaching spaces and staff facilities.
A sod-cutting ceremony on Tuesday (12 April) was attended by Councillor Juliette Blake, Derbyshire County Council's Cabinet Support Member for Education, Shirebrook Academy Principal Julie Bloor, Stubbin Wood School headteacher Lee Floyd, Academy sponsors All Roads, students and local invited guests.
Councillor Juliette Blake, Derbyshire County Council's Cabinet Support Member for Education, said: "This new building will be a valuable asset for Shirebrook Academy and Stubbin Wood School.
"Facilities have been carefully planned so they can meet the needs of the modern curriculum both now and in the future.
"Facilities at the heart of these communities will bring enormous benefits to pupils and local people by providing incredible opportunities."
Students and staff were consulted about the design and facilities of the building, which is expected to be completed by 2013.
FIRM FOUNDATIONS: Councillor Juliette Blake, Derbyshire County Council's Cabinet Support Member for Education with (front, from left) Gloria Yeh (13) from Shirebrook Academy and Ella Birks (10) from Stubbin Wood School.
Notes to editors: ALLRoads is Derbyshire County Council's environmental services department's highways direct labour organisation.