Adderlane Academy officially opened its remodelled building yesterday (September 4), marking a successful end to the more than year-long project.
Those attending included the Trustees of WISE Academies, governors of the academy, parents, staff, and the community.
The scheme involved replacing life-expired demountable classroom units with high-quality classrooms, enhancing the layout of the available interior space.
The new design promises to improve the pupil experience with better flow, access to toilets, and increases provision of small group teaching and intervention space.
It also maximises circulation space in the building.
Taking the opportunity to improve accessibility for children, staff and visitors, disabled toilet facilities have now been installed.
The school entrance and reception area have been improved to better aesthetics, providing a welcoming environment and a suitable waiting area for visitors.
Car parking facilities have also been extended.
The official opening celebrations saw speeches from Margaret Stephenson, chair of WISE Academies Trust Board, Pam Kidd, chair of Adderlane Local Governors; and Zoe Carr O.B.E., CEO of WISE Academies.
Headteacher Emma Potts then led a tour of the all-new accommodation.
Adderlane Academy became part of WISE Academies in December 2016, becoming the first school from the Northumberland area to join the trust.
Ever since, the Academy has made impressive strides.
Its first Ofsted inspection as an academy in late 2019 saw it being classified as a 'good' school, with the achievement described as a 'reflection of the quality of leadership from a talented headteacher'.
The success has also been put down to the 'hard work' by school staff and being part of a 'well-established and high performing Multi Academy Trust'.
WISE Academies invested well over £1 million from its capital resources for the remodelling project, which it says demonstrates its commitment to support Adderlane Academy in offering 'a high quality learning environment befitting a good school'.
The investment will help to ensure the future sustainability of the provision, while providing a 'high quality educational experience' for the children who attend.
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