Willmott Dixon has celebrated the commencement of works on the
new multi-million pound Kettering Science Academy by hosting an
official 'Turf Cutting' ceremony.
The event, which took place at the Academy's Deeble Road site,
saw representatives from Northamptonshire County Council and the
Academy itself join Willmott Dixon in presenting the exciting new
plans for the Academy's facilities to the local community.
Councillor Andrew Grant, Northamptonshire County Council's
cabinet member for children and young people, took the helm
alongside Peter Simpson, Executive Principal at Brooke Weston
Partnership, and George Weston, Chairman of the Kettering Science
Academy Trust to welcome visitors and discuss how the Academy will
bolster educational opportunities within Kettering.
As part of its ongoing commitment to student engagement,
Willmott Dixon also held an enrichment class during which the
Academy's students were able to visitors how some of the
environmental elements of the new construction are tying directly
into the curriculum.
Managing Director for Willmott Dixon's Midlands Region, Peter
Owen commented: "We sincerely believe that by engaging the students
from the outset we are able to have a directly positive influence
in their development, both inside and outside the classroom. By
enabling them to learn about the environmental impact of
construction, we hope we will be able to enrich their knowledge as
well as provide a creative new environment in which they can
learn.
"We have proven experience in the construction of award-winning
educational facilities across the country and are keen to utilise
that experience to create an outstanding new facility in the
Midlands which will help improve community life for many years to
come."
The building is due for handover in Summer 2012 with final
completion of all external areas in Spring 2013. The two-story
Academy will cater for secondary and 6th Form students from 11-19
years old. Design highlights of the brick, glass and steel
structure are set to include a 28m diameter circular courtyard that
provides an oasis of calm at the very heart of the Academy. The
natural daylight and fresh air that this will afford the students
of the new building will underpin all aspects of their learning and
make for an exemplar Academy.
Councillor Grant commented: "The past year has seen big
changes for Kettering in terms of the education of our children and
young people with the creation of two new academies to drive
forward improvement in performance and standards.
"I'm delighted that we have been able to celebrate the start of
the building programme for Kettering Science Academy which will
have far-reaching benefits for its students and the local
community it serves."
The £26m construction of the Kettering Science Academy
forms part of the prestigious Brooke Weston Partnership, which also
includes the existing Brooke Weston Academy and Corby Business
Academy.