Turf cutting ceremony marks key milestone for Abbeyfield School expansion
The first turf has been cut for construction of the new Abbeyfield School sixth form building in Chippenham, with contractor Morgan Sindall Construction marking the occasion through an official groundbreaking ceremony.
Attended by several local dignitaries and members of the council, the turf-cutting ceremony represents the latest stage in the project’s progression following Morgan Sindall’s start on site in August.
Built on a site adjacent to the current Abbeyfield School, the new sixth form building will contain four classrooms and teaching spaces, a main hall with auditorium seating and social rooms for students in further education. It will also include a sixth form study room, 20 toilets, of which two will be accessible, a staff room and two changing rooms.
Planning approval was secured for the new school building in March this year and it represents the first of three phases of work that will increase the student body by as many as 450 pupils once complete.
Following procurement through the Pagabo Medium Works Framework, Morgan Sindall was appointed by Wiltshire Council as the main contractor on the project, which will allow Abbeyfield School to split out its sixth form and secondary education facilities.
Completion of the first phase of the project is targeted for September 2027.
Robert Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, said:
This is the latest stage of this amazing new Sixth Form building for Abbeyfield students. The new building will allow the school to grow and offer a more comprehensive Sixth Form experience to students wanting to go into further education.
It was a thrill to invite everyone to join us at the turf cutting ceremony. It is a fantastic moment for everyone to come together, reflect on how far this project has come already and to look ahead to next year, where we will see the building welcome its first students.”
Nick Norgrove, Headteacher for Abbeyfield School, said:
We are all astonished with the rate at which the site is transforming and the excitement that the new building will bring with it so many benefits to the school. This will really have a significant impact for thousands of pupils and members of the local community in the coming years.
It has been especially pleasing to meet Morgan Sindall's Social Values Advisor - Georgie, who along with several members of staff are ensuring the school's pupils benefit throughout the build and not just at the end. Projects that are going to be taking place are a careers-based enterprise project, school gardening club development, sixth form Science Technology English and Maths challenges, work experience and interview support to name just a few. We look forward to seeing the site continue to transform over the winter months.”
Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Education at Wiltshire Council, said:
I’m very pleased to see work progressing on these additional school places at Abbeyfield. This investment will help ensure that, as Chippenham continues to grow, local children and young people have access to high-quality facilities where they can learn, develop and succeed. Reaching this milestone is a significant moment for the project, and I look forward to seeing the new facilities take shape over the coming months and years.”
ENDS