BAM breaks ground at new Yeoman Park Academy
BAM breaks ground at new Yeoman Park Academy
BAM has started construction of the new Yeoman Park Academy. A ground breaking ceremony marked the start of the project.
The academy, which is part of Diverse Academies Trust, provides a highly specialised education for children and young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties, including autism and those with developmental and sensory impairments.
BAM hosted staff and children from Yeoman Park Academy, Mansfield Woodhouse, alongside representatives from the Department for Education and Nottinghamshire County Council, to mark the official breaking of the ground at the site for the new school building.
The school was identified as one of the first 50 to be selected for upgrading as part of the government’s 10-year, multi-wave rebuilding programme for schools.
Steve Roome, construction director at BAM, said:
“Our longstanding partnership with the Department for Education has seen us deliver many projects across the length and breadth of the UK.
We’re delighted to be here today breaking ground on the brand-new Yeoman Park Academy. Our values align with those of the academy, to inspire and raise the aspirations of the next generation. We are also dedicated to creating a brighter and sustainable tomorrow. We are looking forward to working with the school and the community, to provide opportunities for them and local businesses as this is also very important to us.”
Courtney Hoop, principal at Yeoman Park Academy said: “This is a significant milestone in our academy’s history and a development which I know will have a life changing impact on our community for many years to come. Our whole staff team work extremely hard to deliver an inspiring and aspirational curriculum for our children and young people, who range from age 3 to 18 years old.
We’re all incredibly excited at the prospect of being able to widen this to more families in the future, within start-of-the-art facilities that will make such a difference to the experience of all our pupils.”
With site preparations now complete, developers BAM are set to commence construction of the new purpose built school, which will be located on land close to the current academy building.
David Cotton, chief executive officer for Diverse Academies Trust, added: “It’s been a privilege to be joined by students, colleagues and partners today. This development reflects a significant investment in our region to support the needs of many families who require access to highly specialist educational facilities for their children.
“The new academy building will fully cater for up to 138 pupils and, in addition to the high quality teaching spaces, facilities will include a hydrotherapy pool, hall, multi-use games area and sensory gardens – with the potential for wider community use in the future.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Department for Education and Nottinghamshire County Council on this project, and also particularly our thanks to Leas Park Junior School and The Manor Academy, which is part of The Two Counties Trust, for their partnership working to help bring the new school building vision to life.”
Mandeep Sanghera, project director, summed up: “It was great to see the children on site today, excited with the ground breaking ceremony. When completed, this new facility will enhance their learning environment significantly, and this is what it’s all about.
“We have worked closely with Nottinghamshire County Council to expand special education pupil places within the local area. We look forward to seeing the new school building up and running in the spring of 2025.”
