WORK has begun on the full redevelopment of a secondary school in Bournemouth.

A ground breaking ceremony was held at the Oak Academy on Duck Lane to begin construction at the school.

As reported, the school has received significant investment as a part of the government’s £1billion school rebuilding programme.

It is one of the first 50 across the country to get funding from the Department for Education.

Bournemouth Echo:

The plans will see a phased demolition of the existing buildings, excluding the LeAF Studio School sports hall, to replace them with a single block for all subjects.

This will provide a ‘more concise and efficient layout’ after BCP Council’s planning officers approved the full proposals for the plans in March.

A variety of spaces will be available to students, including science and technology classrooms, sports, music, drama and SEND provision.

Once work is completed, the school will expand from 500 to 900 pupils, with staff numbers increasing from 100 to 150.

The work, which started with the ceremony on Friday, is being done by Kier Construction Limited, and the school is a part of the Ambitions Academies Trust.

Bournemouth Echo:

Cheryl Parsons, regional director for Kier Construction Southern, said: “We are proud to mark the start of works on-site at Oak Academy which will deliver improved, sustainable facilities for students, staff and the community.”

“We look forward to using our wealth of education sector experience to deliver this first-class facility which will have a positive impact on the next generation of talent and the wider community.”

Sian Thomas, CEO and national leader of education for Ambitions Academies Trust said: “We are all excited that Oak Academy will have a new school with such superb facilities. Ensuring that future generations will have a great school in which to thrive is so important and means a lot to the whole community”.

Sir Conor Burns MP, Member of Parliament for Bournemouth West, added: "I am absolutely delighted to have joined the event to mark the beginning of a new chapter for Oak.

“The young people of this community deserve every penny of this new investment. It is an investment not just in physical resources but a commitment to these young people and their future.

“This project will transform opportunity and be a beacon of aspiration. I am proud to have played my small part over many years in getting us to the point where we can celebrate this large financial commitment."