The construction of a new sixth form teaching facility at Abbeyfield School in Chippenham took another step forward with a turf-cutting ceremony marking the start of the next phase of development.

Wiltshire Council is investing £9.5 million in the project, which will be delivered over three phases and create teaching space for an additional 450 pupils and 39 staff. Abbeyfield School currently accommodates 900 pupils aged 11 to 16, alongside 171 post-16 students.

Phase one will provide capacity for up to 150 pupils from September 2027, with the timing of subsequent phases dependent on the pace of housing growth in Chippenham. The turf-cutting ceremony marked an important milestone in the delivery of the project.

The completed development will provide a new two-storey teaching facility, including a hall, sixth form study area, changing rooms and classrooms.

Phase one will deliver a hall and performance space, a post-16 learning area, five classrooms and toilet facilities. Phase two will provide a further six classrooms and four science laboratories, while phase three will include two art rooms, three design and technology classrooms, and an additional three general teaching classrooms.

The scheme will also deliver additional parking spaces, a new covered cycle store, and staff and visitor parking. A package of off-site infrastructure improvements will support safe and accessible travel to and from the school. The main contractor for the project is Morgan Sindall.

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.”

“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.”

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.”