Paignton Academy will be able to provide 300 new secondary school places for the local community.

Torbay Council has secured an agreement with Paignton Academy for the school to take an extra 30 pupils per year starting from September 2019. The school will admit a further 30 pupils per year from September 2020. This will increase their numbers from 300 to 360 per year group, which creates 300 new secondary places over a five year period. Torbay Council is funding five new classrooms and the remodelling of existing space to accommodate this increase.

The new block is being built by Midas Construction, part of the Midas Group.

Stephen Kings, CEO of the Bay Education Trust, said: “This project adds so much value to Paignton Academy. It upgrades our accommodation with inspiring new facilities and provides extra space to welcome more pupils over the next five years. This enhances the offer to young people and parents of Torbay. Thanks to Torbay Council for the funding for these works and to TDA for delivering the project.”

Mark Smith, Head Teacher at Paignton Academy, said: “The facilities at Paignton Academy continue to go from strength to strength. Each exciting new development improves the learning experience for students and other users. With the support of TDA, this will be the third major project in recent years.”

This development follows the completion of The Arena, a 3m multi-use event centre which was officially opened last week. The Arena was also built by Midas Construction. The campus has also benefitted from new laboratories and IT classrooms. This means the school can accommodate more students with modern, purpose-built spaces.

Clare Talbot, Education Team Manager at TDA, said: “We continue to work with Paignton Academy to provide extra school places and meet the developing needs of the school. Each project has been a great success and we look forward to providing more top-class facilities for the young people of Torbay.”

TDA’s teams will supply project management, quantity surveying, mechanical and electrical engineering, and structural engineering consultation throughout the build. Midas Construction will work alongside TDA to deliver this exciting project.

Mike Borkowski, Business Development Director at Midas Construction, said: “Through the course of our previous work at the Academy we have built strong relationships with the school and the local community. We are delighted to again be working alongside our customers TDA and Bay Education Trust.

“This exciting project represents yet another significant enhancement to the facilities at this growing school. We are looking forward to students and staff seeing their new block taking shape over the coming months.”

TDA also supports Bay Education Trust to deliver projects at their primary centres, Kings Ash Academy and Curledge Street Academy.

Schools that wish to improve their facilities can contact Clare Talbot at TDA. Email clare.talbot@tda.uk.net or call 01803 208220.