Turf-cutting ceremony marks start of £7m school expansion

The milestone was marked with an official turf-cutting ceremony at 10am today (Thursday, March 17). 

The ceremony was attended by councillor Clare Paul, cabinet member for education and public health at Somerset County Council (SCC), the mayor of Chard, cllr Jason Baker, and the CEO of Uffculme Academy Trust, Lorraine Heath OBE. 

Holyrood Academy joined the Uffculme School multi-academy trust in 2019. 

SCC's contractors BAM started work on the campus at the start of the year, beginning with the demolition of the former Cresta swimming pool.

The expansion will see the development of a new two-story building that will incorporate a student dining area, six classroms, new office spaces and meeting rooms, and a single point of entry into the school.

The new building will be all-electric and fitted with energy efficient fabric in line with the SCC's Climate Emergency Strategy.

The project will increase the academy’s capacity by 225 places and help meet the demand of Chard's growing population.

An artist's impression of how the school could look following the expansion work. Picture: Supplied

Holyrood Academy headteacher David MacCormick said: “We are delighted that the demolition work is complete, and the construction of our new building is now underway.

“The students and staff are very excited by the plans and are looking forward to seeing them take shape.”

Cllr Paul, who made the first cut at the ceremony, said: “We’re investing millions in schools and school places across Somerset to meet growing demand and to deliver high quality education.

“This £7m project is exciting news for the school, for the town and the wider community and will ensure school places are there in future to meet Chard’s growing population.”

Read more: Work underway on £7 million expansion at Holyrood Academy 

Read more: Plans for new Holyrood Academy school building in Chard among latest applications