WORK to transform The Bourne Academy into a state-of-the-art 21st Cen-tury school could begin within weeks.

Plans are progressing fast to invest £10million to extend and refurbish the Hadow Road Academy, formerly Kings High School.

It was one of two Academies in Bournemouth earmarked for development in the government’s original Building Schools for the Future programme but plans were put on hold when the scheme was scrapped.

Now, following a review, the Department for Education has allocated £25million for The Bourne Academy and the Bishop of Winchester Academy in Mallard Road.

At Hadow Road, the ICT block will be demolished, a new, two-storey maths and English block built, a new dedicated sixth form centre will be created and existing buildings will be the subject of extensive refurbishment.

A shabby sports hall, leaking rooves and outdated classrooms and facilities will be things of the past.

The work is due to take 18 months and the project, which will incude a sixth form for the first time, will be ready for September 2013 intake.

This week Bournemouth Cabinet members agreed that the council should accept £150,000 worth of funding to develop a full business case in order for the work at Bourne Academy to progress.

Cabinet member for Education and Children’s Services, Cllr Barry Goldbart, said: “Bournemouth has been very fortunate in receiving such a large investment for two of our academies, especially in the light of the government’s review of the Building Schools for the Future programme last year.

“It is really important that investment is made to provide the very best education and facilities for our young people and I am excited to see that we are moving forward in improving and investing in our town’s academies.”

Once the business case is completed it will be considered by the government’s Partnership for Schools and the council’s executive board.

Work could begin as early as April.

What do you think?

Principal Jackie Steel said: “It is going to make everybody glad to be here. New buildings will be a physical representation of what we are doing here. So many schools are dreary and this is going to be the exact opposite.”

Interim finance director Phillip Smith said: “This is a very outdated building. You can’t have students who aspire in buildings that are not aspirational. Work will be phased so there is minimal disruption to the students.”

Student Julianne Langston, 15, is in Year 10 and will be in the first 6th form intake. She said: “I want to do performing arts, dance and drama and it will be lovely to stay here, rather than have to go to a different sixth form.”

Head girl Hayley Thomas, 16, said: “Things have really improved since we became an Academy – attendance and behaviour have definitely got better. I want to prove that you can come from anywhere and do just as well.”

Head boy Oskar Apperley, 16, said: “I am going to Bournemouth School sixth form but it would have been nice to have the opportunity to stay here if it had been open. I have been excited to be a part of choosing how the school will look.”