Pupils celebrate completion of school extension at Orchard Academy

Pupils celebrate completion of school extension at Orchard Academy

A school extension creating places for an additional 180 pupils has been completed at Orchard Academy in Springfield.

 

The single-storey building, funded by Milton Keynes Council, features eight new classrooms, an art and technology room and communal areas and is already being enjoyed by children and staff.

 

The building project means the junior school, which is part of the East Midlands Academy Trust, could increase its capacity from 360 places to 480 places as demand grows for local school places.

 

Headteacher Callum Brown said: “Following our ‘good’ Ofsted inspection in 2018, this extension is an important development for Orchard Academy as it means we are now able to admit up to 90 children in each year group, with scope to potentially increase this figure to 120 in the future.

 

“This provides an opportunity to increase much-needed school places, enabling even more families to attend their local school.

 

“The children and staff have been really excited seeing the building work progress and we’re really excited to be benefiting now from the new facilities.”

 

Cllr Zoe Nolan, Lead Councillor for children and families at Milton Keynes Council, said, “As Milton Keynes expands, it’s really important that we continue to provide great facilities that support the needs of our children.  This investment will enable Orchard Academy to significantly increase the number of school places on offer as and when required in the future. 

 

“This much loved junior school has been recognised by Ofsted for its achievements and we look forward to the next stage of its growth.” 

 

The building works have been carried out by construction firm Kier.

 

Sean Yeo, operations director at Kier, said “Kier is very proud to have delivered Orchard Academy, and we look forward to celebrating the opening with the school, council and the academy trust.”

 

The school has also added a new multi-use games area, providing an additional fenced, hard-surface sport and play area on the field for use in PE lessons and at break and lunch times.

 

Get in Touch

To get in touch with Orchard Academy please click on the link below, or call us on 01908 735882

Contact Us