BAM Construction has commenced work to develop a new primary and secondary school in Lyde Green, Bristol.

Final funding agreements have been announced and contracts have been signed to deliver the new facilities in time for the start of the 2026/27 academic year.

The 420-place, primary school will be run by the Castle School Education Trust (CSET) and the 900-place, 11-16 secondary school will be run by Olympus Academy Trust, both of which already run a number of local schools.

The total project funding is more than £58.3 million, which is made up of almost £24 million from South Gloucestershire Council, and more than £34.3 million from the Department of Education under the Free Schools Programme.

The buildings will be built to Passivhaus standards, which means they will be highly energy efficient, optimised to be net zero, making them significantly cheaper to run. Construction is now underway by BAM, who have already completed two energy efficient new school buildings in South Gloucestershire, at Frenchay and Elm Park.

South Gloucestershire Council Co-leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for schools, Cllr Ian Boulton, said: "Since we formed the new Administration last year our focus has been to finally deliver these vital schools. I am delighted that we are now able to see construction getting underway and that funding has been secured to deliver these brand-new schools for the local community. I would like to thank our officers and partners who have been working flat out in order to get to this point with a view to meeting the challenging deadlines we have set for ourselves."

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CEO of CSET, Will Roberts, said: "We are delighted that the construction of the second primary school for Lyde Green is finally underway. The first Lyde Green Primary School has grown rapidly since opening in 2015, and now has more than 500 pupils. Expanding onto a second site will enable us to provide a primary place for every child in the local community and we are looking forward to providing these much needed places once the new building is completed."

Tim Chell, Regional Director at BAM, said: "As we begin construction here in Lyde Green, we’re looking forward to delivering two highly sustainable new schools that will be built to Passivhaus standards. This will make them net zero carbon, efficient to run, and enjoyable places to learn. Sustainability will be central to our approach and the work we will undertake here is perfectly aligned to BAM’s commitment to building a sustainable tomorrow."

Over the next two years, the two new schools will be delivered, before being handed over to the two Trusts in order for them to prepare to welcome new students to begin learning on site in September 2026. Information regarding the admission application process for new Reception and Year 7 places will be announced in due course.

The project has experienced delays in recent years, due to the pandemic and very high inflation, leading to a significant rise in the scheme’s estimated cost. However, close collaboration between South Gloucestershire Council, the Department for Education, and the scheme's project partners is now making this project a reality.