Academy’s new green facility for 900 more pupils approved

A NEW secondary school expansion that will accommodate 900 extra pupils has been given the green light to be built near Westonsuper-Mare.

Construction is due to begin later this year with the hope that Winterstoke Hundred Academy’s new facility in Locking Parklands can open in 2023.

The school will provide much needed infrastructure for an area that has seen major development over the years, with hundreds of new homes being built in the nearby Hayward Village.

The building will be designed with its own in-house energy generation and recycling centre to reduce its carbon emissions as well as providing children with extra bike storage.

This is part of the school’s aim to achieve a net zero carbon footprint in the years to come.

The new site, which will be built just north of the A371 on Locking Moor Road, will cater for students in Years 7 to 11 while the current site will host sixth form students.

The school will also have new sports facilities built, which could eventually be opened up to the public.

Principal of Winterstoke Hundred Academy Ian Garforth said: “We are delighted that Winterstoke Hundred Academy students will get to learn in a state-of-the-art building that offers so many possibilities for their school experience.

“We’ve worked in close partnership with North Somerset Council and Kier to ensure that this academy will be great for our students now, and great for the students of the future too.”

It is hoped this development will help meet North Somerset Council’s promise of providing enough school places for its residents.

Cllr Catherine Gibbons, executive member for children’s services and lifelong learning, said: “As North Somerset grows, it is vital that there are sufficient school places for our young people. As such, I am delighted to announce that this exciting school expansion has been given the go ahead.”