Groundbreaking ceremony marks start of construction of new Outwood Academy Kirkby school building
Work is now officially underway on the brand-new Outwood Academy Kirkby school building. The groundbreaking ceremony, which took place on Monday, March 23, signals a new chapter for the school community, as the academy begins its transition from 1970s-era structures to a world-class educational facility.
The project is fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of the national School Rebuilding Programme (SRP), which invests in schools that require comprehensive renewal. The ceremony follows the granting of full planning permission by Ashfield District Council, giving the "green light" to replace the existing estate with a modern, energy-efficient structure.
Since joining the Outwood Family of Schools in September 2022, Outwood Academy Kirkby has seen rapid improvements, achieving an Ofsted ‘Good’ rating in May 2025 and being recognised in the top 1% nationally for school transformation.
The new building is designed to reflect this academic excellence with facilities that include:
Purpose-built classrooms for science, drama, and technology.
Enhanced external facilities, including a brand-new all-weather pitch and multi-use games courts.
Spacious social areas for recreation.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from Outwood Grange Academies Trust, the DfE, and contractor Willmott Dixon.
Andy Scruby, lead principal at Outwood Academy Kirkby, said:
“This is a historic milestone for Outwood Academy Kirkby. Following our recent Ofsted rating and national recognition for transformation, this new building is a pivotal piece of the puzzle. It ensures our students and our wider community will have access to the very best facilities to support their learning, creativity, and physical well-being.”
Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, added:
“Willmott Dixon has a strong track record of delivering sustainable schools across the country, including the UK's first Passivhaus Plus school for the London Borough of Sutton. Our extensive experience in the education sector makes us the ideal partner for this transformational project.
“Aligning the new Outwood Academy Kirkby with the DfE's latest output specification means the building is fit for the future. Much of the social value we deliver throughout the construction phase will be focused on helping prepare local students for their own future careers. We've had great successes creating sustainable schools in recent years, and it's a privilege to continue doing so with Outwood Grange Academies Trust.”
To ensure education continues without disruption, construction will follow a phased approach. A temporary teaching block will be utilised alongside existing sports facilities until the new main building is ready for use in the 2028/29 academic year. Once the new school is complete, the old buildings will be safely demolished to make way for the final external sports areas.
A spokesperson for the DfE said:
“The School Rebuilding Programme is delighted to support the future of the children of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and the ambition of Outwood Academy Kirkby, with this significant investment. We have a challenging road ahead, but with the support of our capable partners in Willmott Dixon and Outwood Grange Academies Trust, we’re confident in delivering the right teaching environment to support the step-change in results that Mr Scruby and his team have laid down the foundations for.”
The DfE will invest almost £20 billion into the SRP through to 2034-35, ensuring children have safe, high-quality environments that meet the needs of the future.
