A £12m eco extension at a Bedford school has been praised by its headteacher – paving the way for a significant increase in student numbers.
The new two-storey building at Bedford Academy includes 16 state-of-the-art classrooms, a dining area and modern changing facilities.
In all, the changes will enable the school to accommodate an extra 300 pupils.
Chris Deller, Headteacher at Bedford Academy, said: “We are so excited to be able to move into our new sustainable teaching block.
“As the school continues to grow in student numbers we will increasingly benefit from the fantastic spaces, each designed with the children’s best interests at heart.
“It’s been a wonderful experience seeing the new block take shape and seeing the whole school community being involved. It’s a building we can all be truly proud of.”
The building was designed by Northamptonshire firm GSS Architecture and delivered by Ashe Construction over 60 weeks on behalf of project managers Pick Everard.
Sustainability was placed at the heart of the project – including the addition of solar panels and air source heat pumps, alongside the use of Passive Purple membrane to improve energy efficiency.
The building will also open to the public through the inclusion of a community cafe, while the facilities will also be made available to local sports clubs.
Alistair Wilkinson, GSS Associate and Project Lead, said: “This project is a game-changer for Bedford Academy and the wider community.
“We’re incredibly proud to have delivered a space that’s not only inspiring for students but truly opens its doors to everyone.
“From cutting-edge classrooms to a welcoming community cafe, every detail has been designed with flexibility, sustainability, and ambition in mind.
“It’s a bold step forward for education and for Bedford.”
Andrew Morris, Ashe’s Business Development Director, added: “We’re extremely proud of this project which has seen several ground-breaking initiatives take place showing that construction projects can be a force for good.
“Whether in terms of sustainability, diversity, innovation or community engagement, we have surpassed our targets at Bedford Academy, and we really look forward to seeing the children flourish in their new school building.”