Construction Begins on £38m Outwood Academy Kirkby Redevelopment

Construction has officially commenced on a £38m project to redevelop Outwood Academy Kirkby in Nottinghamshire, with Willmott Dixon appointed as main contractor.

The scheme will replace the existing 1970s buildings with a modern secondary school and sixth form facility designed to accommodate up to 900 students. The project forms part of the Government’s School Rebuilding Programme aimed at upgrading education infrastructure across the country.

Designed by ADP Architecture, the new development will feature specialist teaching spaces for science, drama and technology, alongside social areas, an all-weather pitch and multi-use games courts.

Sustainability is a key focus of the scheme, with the inclusion of air source heat pumps, solar panels and a targeted 10% biodiversity net gain, in line with the Department for Education’s latest output specifications.

The project will be delivered in phases to ensure the school remains operational throughout construction. A temporary teaching block and existing sports facilities will remain in use until completion of the main building, scheduled for the 2028/29 academic year. The original buildings will then be demolished to make way for new external sports facilities.

This marks Willmott Dixon’s third project for Outwood Grange Academies Trust, following previous developments at Outwood Academy Danum and Outwood Academy Hemsworth, further strengthening its presence in the education sector.