A new, two-storey extension has been completed at Burton Academy, providing pupils with access to additional teaching spaces and improved facilities. 

Improvements have also been made to external areas, which will give pupils opportunities to learn from a wider curriculum and greater access to outdoor space. 

This improved facility will enable Burton Academy, currently operating across two sites, to be amalgamated onto one site. This will create a stronger school community, a more efficient learning environment and remove the complexity of managing two sites.

We approved the funding for the project to ensure the young people succeed at the school and beyond. 

Councillor Cordelia Law, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Many of Torbay’s schools are continually improving their facilities to provide our young people with exciting and engaging spaces where they can learn. We are proud to see pupils at Burton Academy thriving in the new facilities and we will continue to look to provide funding to support education across Torbay.”

Burton Academy is part of the Catch22 Multi-Academies Trust, offering alternative education provision for 60 pupils aged 11 to 16 years old. Pupils attend this school from across Torbay as their needs cannot be met within a mainstream environment. 

This is the second phase of a long term plan of improvements for Burton Academy. The first phase saw the internal refurbishment to existing classrooms and internal remodelling, which was funded by Catch22 and completed in 2019. Burton Academy has seen the dramatic, positive impact these improvements are having on pupil’s behaviour and engagement. The third phase will see the provision of improved external space for pupils to explore, play and learn outside.

Stephen Hulme, Headteacher at Burton Academy, said: “It is fantastic to see the improvements being made to our school and the positive impact it is having on the pupils. The new teaching spaces will enable us to continue to support our students and provide a varied and engaging curriculum in an exciting way.”

TDA, who are responsible for our Schools Capital Programme, oversaw the new developments at the school. Despite the pandemic, the £1m project was delivered to budget and within programme. 

Clare Talbot, Head of Education Services at TDA, said: “Despite the challenges we are currently facing, we are pleased to have delivered this project without delay. We are incredibly proud of the support we can provide local schools to improve school accommodation and the learning environment. It is great to see the new facilities at Burton Academy and the impact they are having. With Torbay Council providing the funding, these projects will really help improve the outcomes and attainment of young people in Torbay.”

TDA’s teams provided architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical design as the principal designer for the project. TDA also provided project management, quantity surveying, feasibility studies and consultation throughout the build. TDA will continue to manage the operations of the building on behalf of Catch22.

A timelapse video of the project produced by Nevada Construction, who delivered the building works for the project, will be available shortly.

Bob Tranckle, Director at Nevada Construction, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside TDA, Torbay Council and Burton Academy to complete this challenging project. The site logistics were very restrictive and despite the additional challenges that the current pandemic has created, it’s great news to be able to hand over the project on time and to the client’s requirement. It is a perfect example of what a ‘collaborative approach’ by the project team can achieve in construction, which we feel privileged to be a part of.  We proudly look forward to seeing the benefits this successful scheme will provide to the youth of Torbay.”