Progress report No.4

Too late to go back now!

The canteen and Admin block will be demolished before the beginning of term. This is the view from the spot used in the artist’s impression of the main entrance to the new Academy.

The next significant sign of progress will be the erection of the building’s steel frame which will begin towards the end of April and progress from right to left (facing the site from the Ridges).

New Build – Community update (Parking)

A note of thanks to SHDC for entering into discussions which we hope will ensure that the Academy’s staff can use the Park and Ride during term time and in doing so avoid the need for extensive on street parking which was beginning to look necessary. Thanks South Hams! Confirmation to follow….

Progress report No. 3

At the end of term progress was good with the ground in the area of the future EYFS and Springboard being prepared for construction. Demolition however is running slightly behind schedule but not to the extent it is expected to delay the overall project.

Our rebuild adventure is about to begin!

The Academy is about to begin its £8.5million rebuild as contractors Leadbitter arrive on site to begin the 18-month process. 

Senior members of the Dartmouth Academy team, including Principal Nick Hindmarsh and Business Manager Simon Rushton, met on site on Thursday February 14th to discuss the final plan for the build process and how the Academy site will change in the coming months.

The build preparations will take a few weeks before the official ‘turf breaking ceremony’ to signal the official start of construction. The build will be completed by Summer 2014.

When finished the new Academy buildings will feature the best educational technology, a unique green energy-generating system, which is expected to generate more energy than the school needs, and a school canteen which doubles as a restaurant designed by Dartmouth celebrity chef Mitch Tonks.

Dartmouth Academy Principal Nick Hindmarsh said:  “It is very exciting, after 18 months in the planning, to be at this point – we are looking at the most significant and positive change to education facilities in Dartmouth in a generation. The new Academy buildings will emphasise and support our all-through structure and give the children of Dartmouth the school they have deserved for so long.”

Dartmouth Academy Chair of Governors Mary Shaw said: “This is the moment we have all been waiting for, the moment that the rebuild starts! Our staff have been transforming the school over the last two and a half years, improving standards and raising expectations, and this rebuild will help to inspire them and a new generation of learners in Dartmouth.”

It begins!

Contractors begin preparations on site on Monday January 28th. The new building is expected to be handed over in just over a year so should be ready for use by Easter 2014. After that the former Primary site will be demolished, landscaping completed and a new car park created.

Planning permission granted for new build

The Academy’s long-awaited £8.5million rebuild will begin at the start of next term it has been announced.

The announcement has been described as: “an early Christmas present” by Academy Principal Nick Hindmarsh.

Some final administrative issues had delayed the initial planned start date of October – but planning permission has now been granted and contractors Leadbitter will begin preparatory work on site before staff and student…s return from their Christmas break.

It is planned to have the official ‘breaking ground’ ceremony, when building work begins, before the end of January. The estimated length of the build will be 12 months, and all work on site will be completed by the end of the Summer Term 2014.

During the build there will be ongoing updates through the Academy newsletter, its termly magazine ‘Inspire’, and the Academy’s website, which already features links to a video showing what the rebuilt school will look like, In addition, Leadbitter has been producing its own Newsletter to help keep everyone fully informed, plus we have a blog dedicated to the newbuild at www.dartmouthacademynewbuild.wordpress.com.

“This is the best early Christmas present we could have received,” said Mr Hindmarsh. “We have had a wonderful year so far, seeing a continuing improvement in standards and our staff and students working closely with the community on a number of events, such as the food festival and Candlelit Dartmouth, and now we have had this wonderful news. The new school buildings will support our innovative and inspiring curriculum and our sense of an all-through academy family through its design.

“Leadbitter’s workmen will begin their work at the beginning of next term and we hope to hold the breaking ground ceremony before the end of January. We could be moving into our rebuilt school a year later. It is an exciting time for education in Dartmouth!”

‘Meet the Builder’ event at Townstal Community Hall

In order for the Leadbitter site team to meet the school community and surrounding residents to discuss how they intend to build the project, they will be holding a ‘Meet the Builder’ event on Monday 28th January 2013 from 3pm until 6pm at Townstal Community Hall. Ivatt Road, Dartmouth. This event will be an opportunity to:

• Meet the members of the Leadbitter team and representatives from the Academy.
• View plans of the scheme.
• Have your questions answered.

If you are unable to make it to the event but still have questions you would like to ask, please email jackiekelly@leadbitter or phone Jackie on 07919 295043 to beek an appointment.