EXECUTIVES at Felixstowe Academy are delighted with the rapid progress being made on the new £19.5million education complex that will replace its current campuses.
David Triggs, chief executive officer of the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET), spent time with members of the New Build Focus Group before visiting the site of the new academy in Walton High Road, expressing his delight with the progress of the construction work.
Mr Triggs enjoyed a full day visiting the academy, which he described as “invigorating, exciting, and dynamic”.
He met members of the senior leadership team, including academy executive principal Stephen Chamberlain, head teacher Andrew Salter and Susan Robinson, chairman of governors, before meeting students and members of staff.
At the meeting with students, Mr Triggs was updated on how students had contributed and influenced the project as part of the New Build Focus Group.
The students, along with staff members, had been able to visit completed new building projects from within the AET organisation. They had been impressed with the designs, which often incorporated large areas of glass which enabled great visibility within the building but remained warm and friendly.
One year 7 student Aaron Durrant spoke about his experience of joining the academy last September.
He “felt safe and secure and welcomed by staff and fellow students” and is delighted he will be taught in the new academy building.
Mr Triggs, who has been involved with the project since the proposal to merge Deben and Orwell was put forward, believes “all new-build academies should have iconic buildings, created with students in mind and providing a good environment for 21st Century learning with spaces where students really want to learn”.
At the construction site, he was shown the foundations for the footprint of the building, including the multi-use sports area, and saw work taking place on the car park.
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