Latest News

If you download Flash Player you can view the News Feed here.

Get Adobe Flash Player

 

News & Events

Latest News » Willmott Dixon signs contract for £33 million rebuild of The Oxford Academy

July 2009

Willmott Dixon and Oxfordshire County Council have signed contracts to deliver the state-of-the-art facilities for The Oxford Academy. The new buildings will provide facilities for up to 1450 students, including specialist sports facilities.

Mike Reading, Principal of The Oxford Academy said, “We are delighted that work has started on our new Academy building. These exceptional facilities really will underpin the work we are already doing to ensure The Oxford Academy delivers an outstanding, vibrant and exciting educational environment for students and the wider community now and in the future.”

The project will also include the rebuild of Mabel Prichard Special School and the creation of a new library on the Academy site. The library will be used by Academy students and, by offering public library services and adult education classes, will act as a learning centre for the whole community.

Councillor Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement, said: “I am delighted that the building work is now underway.  This project will provide state-of-the-art facilities for The Oxford Academy and Mabel Prichard School, and incorporating a library and adult learning into the scheme will increase the learning opportunities for young and old. When complete, the new campus facilities will be a huge boost for staff, students and the wider school community."

Peter Owen, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the Midlands said “We are delighted to have signed the contract and be on site at The Oxford Academy.  One of the most interesting aspects of this project is that some of the existing structure is being retained within the new construction. However, old will link seamlessly with new when it is complete to create a superb learning environment.

We will be working in a fully operational school, so will be liaising closely with students, staff and the local community to create as little disruption as possible.”

While work is in progress some students will be located in temporary facilities before moving into their new accommodation in January 2011. The project is expected to be complete by Autumn 2011, with all the old buildings demolished and the landscaping complete.