The new academy, which is being built on the Sharphill housing development near to Wheatcroft Island, will open in September and will ultimately create 315 primary places and a 39-place nursery.

Design, cost and project managed by Arc Partnership, with Morgan Sindall as contractor, the project is being delivered through the Scape Regional Construction framework, which aims to deliver local social value through jobs and economic benefit.

Challenges with acquisition of the site required the project to be completed in phases. The academy will open in September, operating from a temporary ‘learning village’ with access to the permanent school hall.

The permanent building will be completed in December and the academy will operate from that building from its permanent home from the beginning of the January 2021 term. The cost of the project is £10 million which includes earth movement to the site and the temporary learning village.

Arc Partnership will continue to work closely with the county council, the Spencer Academy Trust and Morgan Sindall to ensure the smooth opening of the learning village and the managed transition to the permanent building at a later date.

When complete, the two-storey building will provide nine classrooms, offices, a large hall and studio hall and an administration zone. Resource areas for independent and small group learning are located throughout the building, which has also been designed to allow extended use of key areas, outside of the normal school day.

Four outdoor sports pitches will feature alongside a soft play area, playground, and an enclosed space for nursery pupils. There will be a 35-space car park including two designated disabled spaces and two for electric vehicle charging.

To find out more about the academy, visit: http://rosecliffespencer.co.uk/.