Kier North East has reached a significant milestone in the construction of the £36 million Josephine Butler Campus in Ashington, the largest of three new developments for the Northumberland Church of England Academy (NCEA).

To mark the completion of the steelwork for the new academy building, Kier North East Managing Director Derek Fothergill and NCEA Executive Director Phil Hearne were joined by excited pupils for a ‘golden bolt’ ceremony this week. The highlight of the event was when nine-year-old pupil Katie Moffat placed a specially created golden bolt, donated by steelwork contractor Billington Steel, into the final bolt hole of the structure and fastened it with a golden nut and spanner.

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The Josephine Butler Campus – being built on the site of the former Hirst High School and Seaton Hirst Church of England Middle School – will be one of the biggest and most ambitious Academy buildings in the north of England when it opens in Easter 2012.

Mr Fothergill said: "This is a fantastic project and the installation of the golden bolt commemorates the successful final completion of this key phase. Works on site are progressing very well and we are delighted to be working on this prestigious project and with such a terrific client team."

Work is also progressing on the Grace Darling Campus, on the site of the former Newbiggin Middle School in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, and the William Leech Campus, being constructed on the Lynemouth Primary School site. Both are due to be completed by summer next year.

(CD/KMcA)