Work on £14m extension to Bingley Grammar School begins
It will create 18 new classrooms at the site
WORK on a £14m extension to a District school, which will create 18 new classrooms, has finally begun.
Plans for the expansion of Bingley Grammar School were first approved in 2021, and the original cost was estimated to be £6.1m.
Since then the estimated cost has risen to £14.3m.
The work will be funded by the Department for Education, and will bring 18 brand new classrooms, modern specialist spaces and improved facilities that will benefit students across the whole school.
Students Abigail Childs and Stevie Metcalfe have mark the milestone of work beginning by putting the first spades in the ground on Friday.
They were joined for the ground-breaking ceremony by Councillor Sue Duffy, Bradford Council’s executive member for children and families, representatives from main contractor Robertson Construction Yorkshire & East Midlands, headteacher Luke Weston, chair of governors David Mann and the school’s site operations manager, Robert Parkinson.
The new build will provide 18 fresh, modern classrooms to replace older rooms and temporary buildings.
The project is creating space for up to 150 students and 24 new specialist places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), helping more local families secure a school place close to home.
These improvements follow earlier work that included turning the old music block into a SEND resourced provision and replacing a derelict swimming pool with a new three classroom building.
Bradford Council is leading the project, which is being paid for with £14.3 million of Department for Education funding.
A report to Council bosses last year said the rising costs were down to the need for additional works – including more classrooms than initially planned, and “rising construction, labour and material costs.”
Cllr Duffy said: “This new build will give young people great places to learn. The new classrooms and improved SEND support will make a big difference for families across Bingley. It’s a very exciting step for the school and the whole community.”
Jonathan Sizer, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction Yorkshire & East Midlands, said: “This inclusive, high-quality learning environment replaces outdated and temporary accommodation to support pupils, staff and the wider Bingley Community.”
Luke Weston, Headteacher from Bingley Grammar School, said: “Seeing the work begin was a proud moment for everyone. These new buildings will help our students learn and feel comfortable in school. We are very thankful for the support we have had, and we cannot wait to see the new building grow.”