WORKS to expand a Maldon school as part of a huge £14.8million project have begun.
Construction works have started at Plume Academy in Fambridge Road.
It’s part of an Essex County Council investment to create 300 new school places across the next three academy years at the secondary school.
Plans were agreed last year as the need for additional spaces is due to the town’s growing population and housing developments in Limebrook Way and in Heybridge.
The expansion aims to offer more Year 7 pupils their preferred school place, reducing the need for travel to distant schools.
Stuart Cadman, managing director of Cadman Construction, said: “This project is an exciting step forward for Plume Academy and our community.
“We are committed to delivering the highest quality construction while supporting the school’s vision of providing an exceptional education for its students.
“We look forward to working closely with the school staff, students, Essex County Council, and the lead designers at Ingleton Wood throughout this journey.”
During its first phase, the car park has been completed which aims to improve accessibility.
Phase two works on Plume Academy’s science block and sports hall are now underway.
The science block will provide students with modern laboratories and dedicated spaces to encourage experimentation.
The sports hall will be expanded to allow students to have access to high quality facilities.
Richard Scott, director of finance and premises at Plume Academy, said: “Following an extensive competitive tendering exercise, the Plume Academy was extremely pleased to appoint Cadman Construction Ltd as contractor for our Fambridge Road Campus expansion, based on value for money and clear evidence of high-quality workmanship from recent reference sites.
“The trustees of the academy have been planning this expansion for several years and it is fantastic to be able to start work on the physical buildings for us to meet the growing demand for school places within the local community.”
Other areas of the school are also set to be completely refurbished and modernised to create an enriched learning experience for pupils.
Ingleton Wood, a Colchester property and construction consultancy business, is also part of the project.
Andrew Marchant, senior associate and building surveyor at Ingleton Wood, also based in Colchester, added: “We are proud to be part of this landmark expansion that has been more than a decade in the making."
It is hoped the whole project will be finished in 2026.
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