State-of-the-art super school breaks new ground
A GROUNDBREAKING ceremony has taken place to mark the start of construction on the Seaton Valley’s new “super school”.
The new buildings for Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School is the latest in a long line of brand new school facilities across Northumberland. The county council say the “major investment” aims to “transform” education for young people in Seaton Valley for “generations”.
The two schools will be rebuilt on a new campus in order to create a “state-of-the-art” learning environment for more than 1,000 pupils. Delivered by BAM Construction, the £50m project is expected to open in September 2025.
Coun Guy Renner-Thompson, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to stand here and see the plans for this amazing new super-school start to take shape.
“This investment in our young people and the wider community will transform education and sports facilities in Seaton Valley for generations to come, bringing wide-ranging benefits to education, health and wellbeing.”
Designed by Ryder Architecture, the building will also be net zero carbon in operation – which the council say will keep running costs to a minimum, meaning more funding can be invested into teaching and learning.
Sports facilities including a fitness studio, swimming pool and 3G pitch will be available for use by the wider community.
John Barnes, executive head teacher at Seaton Valley Federation, said: “It’s a fabulous day, really very, very, exciting. The kids are absolutely buzzing.
“The scale of the operation is huge and we’re going to have such a brilliant facility – not just for the pupils but for the community as well.”
While the new school has been welcomed, in December the county council’s ruling cabinet were forced to revise the budget for the project up from £37m to £50m. The soaring cost was blamed on inflation and the need to redesign the school’s drainage system. At the time, Coun Renner-Thompson said the rise in construction costs since the project first began had been “unprecedented”.
The Seaton Valley school is part of an extensive schoolbuilding programme taking place across the county. It follows new build schools in Hexham and Ponteland, with development also expected in Amble and Berwick.