Cambridgeshire County Council has appointed Morgan Sindall Construction to deliver a new secondary school at the heart of the Alconbury Weald development, continuing its investment in the region's educational infrastructure.

The new school, named Alconbury Weald Church Academy, will be run by the Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust (DEMAT) once completed, with doors set to open in spring 2027. It will be built adjacent to Prestley Wood Academy SEND School, which was also delivered by Morgan Sindall in 2024.

In its initial phase, the secondary school will operate as a four-form entry (4FE) school, accommodating up to 600 pupils. It will feature enlarged core facilities and sufficient external space to support future expansion as the local population continues to grow.

Plans include a three-storey main teaching block, a separate sports block, and extensive outdoor facilities. These will comprise three full-sized grass sports pitches, a full-sized 3G pitch, two multi-use games areas (MUGAs), and an artificial cricket wicket. A comprehensive landscape design will offer flexible outdoor spaces for seating, teaching, dining, socialising, and informal play. Visually, the new school will be designed to match the architectural style of Prestley Wood Academy.

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In line with Cambridgeshire County Council’s net zero aspirations, the development incorporates a range of sustainability features. Morgan Sindall has used its CarboniCa tool to guide the design and construction processes, helping reduce both operational and embodied carbon. Passive design measures, a fabric-first approach, and low-carbon technologies, including photovoltaic panels on the roof, will be integral to the project.

The construction firm is also working closely with staff at the neighbouring SEND school to ensure that disruption during the build is kept to a minimum. The company’s Intelligent Solutions strategy includes carefully managing site logistics and deliveries to avoid affecting daily school life.

Jamie Shearman, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Cambridgeshire, said: "We're looking forward to working with Cambridgeshire County Council once more to deliver another high-end educational environment for the growing Alconbury Weald development. Following our successful collaboration on the nearby Prestley Wood Academy, we know our teams have a strong relationship focused on getting the absolute maximum out of the project for the school’s future teachers and pupils as well as the local community."