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Construction begins at £5.6 million Keepmoat school

Construction has begun on a £5.6 million free school across from the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster.

Surrey-based Wates Construction started on the 3,000 sq. m two-storey XP Free School on Stadium Way earlier this month.

Wates will now complete a 40-week build programme to construct the new school.

Features will comprise a main hall, drama spaces and an external multi-use sports field, which is to be shared with neighbours, Doncaster Athletics Club and Doncaster Rovers.

Governed by the XP Trust, the new school is being funded by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) and will be built on land previously owned by Doncaster Council.

Phil Harrison, managing director, Wates Construction, North, commented: “Wates’ track record in building schools across Doncaster has, in the past three years, provided what we hope to be inspirational learning spaces that make a meaningful difference to the education of the town’s young people.

“Our emphasis is always on ensuring that educational buildings are tailored to address the individual needs of the school and its curriculum, a focus that we will be sharing with XP Free School throughout construction.”

Wates’ presence in Doncaster has included its construction of the new Outwood Academy Adwick and De Warenne Academy in Conisbrough, both of which were completed in 2013.

The contractor was awarded the contract via the YORbuild framework, through which it has pledged to boost local training and employment by providing a number of apprenticeship and work experience opportunities.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .