Pupils and staff were delighted to have had their first day at school in a brand new state-of-the-art Academy in Telford.

The Kier-built Abraham Darby Academy in Madeley is now open for business and the landmark building is already proving to be a real success.

Principal Steve Hawke said: "We are all hugely excited to finally be in our new home, and the incredible facilities we can now offer our students are amazing.

"From our old school next door, we’ve watched the new Academy and the leisure complex grow, and it's wonderful to at last see the students enjoying the modern environment in all its glory."

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Mr Hawke said the new school would offer students opportunities that just did not exist in the previous Abraham Darby School.

"At the heart of our Academy we have high expectations and traditional values in terms of appearance and conduct, and those principles will remain central to our operation in the new building.

"We challenge our students to constantly improve on their previous best and then recognise and celebrate their achievements. Testimony to this approach is that the Academy has just been named as one of the best schools in the country for the progress our students make.

"The new Academy will help us to broaden their horizons even further and encourage them to aspire to great things."

Developers Kier Construction worked with Telford & Wrekin Council to build the new Academy, the neighbouring leisure complex and the new Woodlands Primary School.

(CD/GK)