Thousands of places created at new schools facilities

AN EXTRA 3,000 school places have been created for pupils in Sheffield after two new facilities opened and others have been fitted with extensions.

Astrea Academy Sheffield in the north east of the city, and Mercia School, in the south west, have opened after £25m was spent on them. Totley and Ecclesall primary schools also have new extensions to their buildings this term.

The Astrea Academy Sheffield school will provide places for almost 1,500 children aged from two to 18, and incorporates a refurbishment of the Grade IIlisted former Pye Bank School, where the first pupils were being taught from yesterday.

Executive principle Kim Walton said: “I feel an overwhelming joy both personally and professionally to be able to set the highest expectations and standards for our pupils and staff so that everyone can achieve. Ambition has no limits, within Astrea Academy Sheffield and within our wider community. It is both an honour and privilege to be able to support, develop and encourage one of the most precious gifts in life – a child’s future.”

Mercia Learning Trust, the Multi-Academy Trust founded by King Ecgbert school, will be running its new secondary school, for pupils aged 11 to 18 on the Bannerdale site off Carter Knowle Road. Headteacher Dean Webster said preparing for the opening has been a “marathon” and thanked his colleagues.