The Wellington College sponsored Wellington Academy opened this week near Tidworth in Wiltshire.

The design of the £32m academy, for Wiltshire County Council, responds to the rural site with the plan arrangement loosely paralleling the house system in use at the college.

Principal Andy Schofield commented: "To walk into our stunning and unique school is truly inspiring. It really is something the community can all be very proud of. I have no doubt the building itself will raise our student and staff aspirations still further. We know that we are very fortunate to get such investment, especially in the current economic climate."

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BDP Project Director, Keith Papa, added: "We are delighted that the new school has had such a positive response. It is on a very beautiful site and we were very keen to create strong connections with the surrounding landscape. This project has been a truly collaborative one where we have worked closely with Kier, Wiltshire Council, and Wellington College to achieve this successful result."

The academy currently accommodates 720 students but will eventually cater for 1,100 students.

It provides a wide variety of spaces for formal and informal learning while the design responds to microclimate and maximises natural ventilation and sustainable timber construction to form the central hub space.

The central space links to four 'commons' acting as gateways to the thematic or subject areas of performing arts, business & enterprise, science and design & technology.

The new academy has a 300-seat theatre, sports and fitness centre, health and beauty centre, and an indoor shooting range.

There are also twin boarding houses for 100 students, which will open later in the year followed by the sports pitches.

(JG/GK)