Building work has started on a major expansion of Northstowe Secondary College and the creation of a new sixth form, 630-place primary school and pre-school in one of the UK's most significant emerging towns.

The new buildings will see the provision of pre-school through to sixth form education on a single site, benefitting the growing student population as Northstowe continues to develop.

The works will include an expansion of the existing secondary school to provide an additional 600 places, a new sixth form offering 400 places which will include SEND provision, a new pre-school offering 156 half-day places, and a primary school for 630 pupils.

Following substantial land and financial contributions which have enabled two high-quality occupied schools in Northstowe, government land and funding provided by Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, is now helping to make way for the latest new infrastructure adjacent to the first phase of Northstowe Secondary College.

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Cambridgeshire County Council is managing the major development, with construction partner, Kier, leading on the design and build of the facilities. Meridian Trust, which operates Northstowe Secondary College and Martin Bacon Academy, will lead on education provision at the primary school, existing secondary school, and sixth form. The Trust supports 30 schools across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Lincolnshire, including the new Weldon Village Academy in Corby.

Matthew Brown, head of large sites at Homes England, said: "This is a major milestone for Northstowe, marking a significant step forward in the town’s journey and making way for the next generation of learners in the local area.

"Cambridgeshire is renowned for its educational prowess, and Northstowe Learning Community will provide further inspirational learning facilities that enable the growing local community to access quality education on their doorstep and thrive."

Dennis Cotton, regional director for Kier Construction Cambridge & Rushden, said: "Using our extensive experience of building high quality schools in Northstowe and across the UK, we are proud to design and deliver this new, state-of-the-art learning centre for the local student community. Kier has completed construction on Phase 1 of the project and we look forward to working closely with Cambridgeshire County Council and Meridian Trust as we continue to create an innovative space where students will be inspired to learn."

Image:Marc Mann at SkyTech Cambridge for Homes England