Building schools for the future
Latest News: Skinners' Kent Academy: Construction Update
Newsletter and FAQ
22 July 2011
The Skinners' Kent Academy Construction Update Newsletter,
produced by Willmott Dixon, the contractor for the scheme, provides
interested parties with information about forthcoming works, key
dates and contacts. The latest edition is attached below.
We have also included a Frequently Asked Questions document
which responds to resident enquiries provided on feedback forms
after the first Construction Open Evening held at the Academy on 20
June 2011.
If you have any enquiries about the scheme, please email skinnerskentacademy@kent.gov.uk.
Green light for Skinners’ Kent Academy construction
12 July 2011
Skinners' Kent Academy’s multi-million pound rebuild will begin
later this month.
The construction work got the green light after a deal was
signed by Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd., Kent County Council and
the Academy on Friday, 15 July 2011.
The £20million state-of-the-art building, which will feature the
latest computer technology, is expected to be completed in early
2013.
The designers have pulled out all the stops to make sure
students have the perfect place to learn, including:
- facilities for the academy’s science and engineering
specialism;
- a lecture theatre and gallery;
- the redevelopment of the academy’s 29 acres of grounds to
include outdoor learning areas, performance spaces, excellent sport
facilities and nature trails; and
- community access to facilities where people can come together
for learning, social events, celebrations, sport and
meetings.
Principal of Skinners’ Kent Academy Sian Carr said:
“Everyone at the academy is extremely excited about the news.
All those involved in the project have committed themselves
wholeheartedly to its goals and deserve immense credit for their
hard-work and dedication, including Academy staff, Governors,
Willmott Dixon and our sponsors The Skinners’ Company, K College
and KCC. This is the start of a brand new future for the
Academy.”
KCC Cabinet Member for Education, Learning & Skills Sarah Hohler said:
“This is excellent news for the academy and Tunbridge Wells. The
new facilities will offer unrivalled educational opportunities for
students and support innovative teaching and learning. It will also
provide excellent community facilities for learning, leisure and
social activities, as well as provide a welcome boost to the local
construction industry."
Managing Director for Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd Mark Tant
said:
"Reaching financial close on the project is a major milestone
and we are pleased that construction can now begin. It is an
ambitious project and we are fully committed to ensuring that the
new facilities will be a source of pride and an inspirational place
for learning.”
About Building Schools for the Future
The Kent Building Schools for the Future & Academies
Programme was established in 2006. Far from being just another
school building programme, it provided Kent with the opportunity to
combine significant capital investment in state-of-the-art
buildings and ICT facilities with a bold educational vision to
transform teaching and learning and locate schools at the heart of
their community.
National awards and recognition
-
Northfleet Technology College, Gravesend, The Community
College, Whitstable, St. George’s CoE Foundation School,
Broadstairs and New Line Learning Academy, Maidstone
were shortlisted for the Excellence in Design for Teaching and
Learning categories (British Council for School Environments Awards
2011)
-
St. John's Catholic Comprehensive School,
Gravesend, was named Public Sector Project of the Year in the
Builder & Engineer Awards 2010.
-
Ifield School, Gravesend, won the Best
Refurbished School in England prize in the 2009 British Council
School Environment Awards.
-
New Line Learning Academy, Maidstone, was named
Best BSF Academy in the 2008 Excellence in BSF Awards .
-
The Community College, Whitstable was
shortlisted for the Best Remodelled School category in the 2008
Excellence in BSF Awards.
If you have any enquiries or suggestions about how we can
improve this site, please email: bsf@kent.gov.uk or telephone:
01622 221172.