Students and staff at Ashington Academy have returned from their summer break to a much-improved school thanks to a £1.7m capital investment from Northumberland County Council and the North East Learning Trust.
With work ongoing since March 2021, the refurbishment project set out to further uplift the quality of school facilities by providing a range of improvements including a new modern catering facility and new heating and lighting in the Academy’s huge purpose-built sports hall.
The investment has also delivered: a refurbished main hall, improved corridors, new windows, flooring and external paving, and new outdoor dining spaces.
With funding totalling £1.5m from Northumberland County Council and £200k from school sponsors the North East Learning Trust, the improvements have transformed the school for the 1000 plus students who study there.
Speaking of the transformation Andrew Crosby, Head of Estates at the North East Learning Trust said:
'The building has been given a new lease of life with repairs and upgrades making it a bright and welcoming space and setting an excellent tone for learning. We have made the best use of every penny on this build and delivered a wide range of improvements that have transformed the school.'
'The pandemic and ongoing supply chain issues presented a series of challenges over the past six months, but we have largely overcome these to deliver facilities that stand up to the ambition of the Trust to deliver an excellent education for the children of the community.'
Head of School at Ashington Academy, Yvonne Weston, added:
'I am absolutely delighted with the improvements and the children and staff are too. The space is completely rejuvenated and more conducive to learning. We have been working incredibly hard to make our school outstanding over recent years, and by investing in the facilities, the Trust and the council have given us valuable support to help reach our goal.'
Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, cabinet member with responsibility for children’s services, said:
'Investing in our schools like this makes a huge difference to the children and young people attending them.'
'I am pleased the students and staff on their return have been impressed by the improvements and that students attending the school now and in the future will get to benefit from them for years to come.'