Gainsborough: Ceremony marks the official start of building work for a brand new primary school in Gainsborough

James Kelley project surveyor at Willmott Dixon, executive principal Sharron Close, David Reid design manager and Tim Mee building manager at Willmott Dixon

The former Castle Hills secondary school site is set to be transformed into a brand new primary school named Castle Wood Academy, delivering much needed school places for the area.

Celebrations mark an important milestone in the project, which has been managed by Lincolnshire County Council and funded jointly by the local authority and the Department for Education.

Nick Heath, Operations Director at Willmott Dixon in the East Midlands, said: “We are excited to create an academy that will benefit the people of Gainsborough and importantly provide essential school places for local children.”

“A desire to give back to the local community is at the heart of all our projects, and we will be sourcing our building materials locally as well as working with Gainsborough-based labourers throughout the project.”

“The creation of the academy will not only create jobs and local spend immediately, but it will continue to benefit the community for years to come through its creation of more school places and better facilities for local children.”

The academy is expected to be completed and ready for pupils and teachers to move in by September 2015 ready for the start of the new academic year.

It will be operated by the Tall Oaks Academy Trust which already operates two outstanding schools in Gainsborough, White’s Wood Academy and Mercer’s Wood Academy.

The Executive Principal of Tall Oaks Academy Trust, Sharron Close, who will be the head teacher of Castle Wood Academy, said: “Everyone is very excited to be opening a new academy within our family of schools.”

“As a trust we are committed to providing an outstanding education for all our children and this school will provide the opportunities for us to carry forward our vision.”

Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for children’s services, said: “We are pleased to have led this project which will benefit families with children looking to start school in the area.”

“It will be another excellent addition to our growing portfolio of schools and academies in the county which provide quality education for children and young people.”

“This will also give us much needed extra school places in Gainsborough and the surrounding area.”

The new primary academy will open initially with a reception class only, offering up to 30 places.