First look at the new Hastings Academy
Published 24 September 2010
The first pictures of the new £16m state-of-the-art Hastings Academy have been released.
The University of Brighton, the lead sponsors, and its partners BT and East Sussex County Council, expect to see the academy completed and ready for use during the academic year 2012/13.
The new Hastings Academy. These are initial competition images and are subject to further design work and planning consent. Images courtesy of Kier.
They have named Kier Longley, part of the UK-based Kier Group, as the preferred bidder for the project, and work should start early next year.
The sponsors said the Kier's submission was the closest to their "education vision".
The academy, financed by the Department for Education, will be built on the site of the existing Hillcrest School in Hastings and was given the go-ahead in August. A second project, the St Leonards Academy, to be built on the site of Filsham Valley School in St Leonards, is awaiting funding approval from the government.
Professor Julian Crampton, the University of Brighton's Vice-Chancellor, said the academy will feature the most modern facilities and features.
He said: "It will provide an innovative environment with a broad range of teaching and learning facilities including drama/performance space, a creative learning centre, science laboratories, creative information-communication-technology suites, an amphitheatre and an all-weather sports pitch with fully-integrated special needs provision.
"Physical education provision will be enhanced throughout the site and will be arranged to encourage community use of the sports facilities."
He said Kier was committed to a robust consultation strategy for the school's design which will encourage input from students, staff, parents and the community.
Professor Crampton said the construction will focus heavily on eco-friendly materials and design: "Key elements are very low energy use, good health and wellbeing, giving a comfortable environment with good day lighting, and using a range of materials that are highly rated in the Green Guide to Specification.
"This is very exciting news and we are delighted that Kier is joining us for what will prove a major advancement in the education provision for young people in Hastings."
The sponsors said they remain optimistic for the St Leonards Academy.
Professor Crampton expressed disappointment when the government delayed until the Autumn a final decision on the St Leonards Academy, which will incorporate Filsham Valley and The Grove schools.
He said the Hastings Academy Trust, which is responsible for both the Hastings and St Leonards academies, is continuing to "lobby hard" for a positive capital funding for the St Leonards Academy.
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