Willmott Dixon has been given the go ahead from Ashfield District Council for the £38 million transformation of Outwood Academy Kirkby in Nottinghamshire, marking a significant milestone in delivering a state-of-the-art educational facility for the town.

The comprehensive redevelopment will replace the existing 1970s school buildings with a modern, sustainable facility designed to accommodate 900 pupils and a dedicated sixth form on the 6,720 square metre town centre site. Appointed by the Department for Education, enabling works are set to begin early next year with the project due to complete in 2029.

Designed by ADP Architecture, the new academy will meet the Department for Education's latest sustainability specification, powered by a combination of air source heat pumps and solar panels to reduce carbon emissions and operational costs. The project will also deliver a ten per cent biodiversity net gain, providing additional habitats to benefit the local environment and wildlife.

Enhancing Educational Provision

The new building will feature specialist teaching spaces, enhanced sports facilities including an all-weather pitch and multi-use games area, ensuring pupils no longer need to use off-site facilities. The inclusion of purpose-built sixth form facilities will give students the opportunity to continue their studies beyond 16 in a local, modern environment.

Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon:

"Securing planning approval is an exciting milestone for Outwood Academy Kirkby. Willmott Dixon has a strong track record of delivering sustainable schools across the country, including the UK's first Passivhaus Plus school for the London Borough of Sutton. Our extensive experience in the education sector makes us the ideal partner for this transformational project.

"Aligning the new Outwood Academy Kirkby with the DfE's latest output specification means the building is fit for the future. Much of the social value we deliver throughout the construction phase will be focused on helping prepare local students for their own future careers. We've had great successes creating sustainable schools in recent years, and it's a privilege to continue doing so with Outwood Grange Academies Trust."

Demonstrating Sector Expertise

The school represents the third project Willmott Dixon has delivered for Outwood Grange Academies Trust, following the successful completion of Outwood Academy Danum in Doncaster and Outwood Academy Hemsworth in Yorkshire. This growing partnership demonstrates the company’s proven capability in delivering complex educational projects that meet the specific needs of academy trusts.

Careful Sequencing for Operational Continuity

Due to the academy being built on a constrained town centre site, close collaboration between the school and Willmott Dixon has been essential. A carefully phased demolition of the existing school has been sequenced to ensure the site can remain operational throughout the construction works, minimising disruption to students and staff.

Community Investment and Social Value

Creating opportunities for the local community will be at the heart of this project. Willmott Dixon, alongside its supply chain partners, is committed to delivering substantial social value including employment opportunities for local residents, apprenticeship training for young people, and engagement with local schools and colleges to inspire the next generation.

Andy Scruby, lead principal at Outwood Academy Kirkby:

"Securing planning permission is a key milestone in our work. In just three years, we've achieved external validation as a 'Good' school and been recognised in the top 1% nationally for school transformation. Now, we can deliver the state-of-the-art facilities our students and community deserve."

The news follows Willmott Dixon being awarded a £20.7m contract recently by the Department for Education to build the new Durham Academy in County Durham, replacing the current Durham Community Business College.