A £5.5m ($7.18m) extension project at Thorp Academy in Ryton, Gateshead, England, has broken ground.
Morgan Sindall Construction is spearheading the Thorp Academy extension project on behalf of the Northern Education Trust (NET).
The project, which will expand the academy’s capacity to meet the needs of a growing student population, is being executed via the SCAPE Construction Framework. This framework is suitable for public sector projects.
Ten new classrooms will be added as part of the project.
The extension will also offer a new dining hall, toilet facilities, and expanded office and storage spaces. A plant room will also be constructed to improve the academy’s amenities.
Scheduled for completion in December 2025, the new two-storey facility is expected to be operational by the early school term of 2026.
Morgan Sindall North East and Cumbria Area director Alex Isted said: “Across the region, we are seeing a sharp rise in schools requiring additional space to accommodate growing student numbers.
“Having already applied our expertise to Callerton Academy in Newcastle, we are once again pleased to contribute to expanding the excellent facilities at Thorp Academy, and to increasing their offering so that students may attain the highest levels of education possible now, and in future generations.”
SCAPE group CEO Mark Robinson said: “It is fantastic to see ground break on this significant project. Through the SCAPE Construction Framework, our client, Northern Education Trust has benefited from early contractor engagement and collaboration from the outset, enabling works to start on-site as soon as possible.
“This is an exciting project that will bring much-needed school spaces to the area when complete, directly benefitting the local community.”
Morgan Sindall Construction recently also began work on Star Radcliffe Academy’s new permanent site in Greater Manchester.
Furthermore, the company has been appointed as the lead contractor for the new Acoustics building within Crescent Salford’s innovation zone, following the project’s planning approval by Salford City Council.
