A Swindon school is to be knocked down and rebuilt in plans that have taken their first step.

Department for Education representatives visited south Swindon’s Lawn Manor Academy after it successfully applied for government funding for new and improved premises.

While details are yet to be agreed, plans are expected to be drawn up and finalised in the next year to 18 months, with hopes the new school will open its doors in late 2027.

While it has not been specified, the entirely new premises will be constructed on the current site of the Walcot secondary school which would suggest the existing buildings will be knocked down. 

It will include “state-of-the-art sport and performing facilities” and an improved library.

Funding is coming from the School Rebuilding Programme which aims to rebuild 500 schools over a decade across the country.  

These will be designed to be Net Zero in operation and include a wide set of adaptive measures to respond to climate change.(Image: Lawn Manor Academy)

Headteacher at Lawn Manor Academy, Sandra Muir, explained: “This is a very exciting time for Lawn Manor Academy and we’re looking forward to working with the Department for Education to create a new school building that will give our pupils the best possible environment for learning, as well as facilities that we can also open up to the local community.

“The current buildings were built in 1964 and whilst we have known that we would be part of the programme since 2022 it’s great that it’s now our turn. 

“Whilst there’s lots to still be agreed and the whole design to come too, we’re hoping to have state-of-the-art sports and performing arts facilities, as well as a wonderful library too. 

(Image: Ascend Learning Trust) “We hope to also keep the forest school area that our staff and pupils have worked so hard to build and maintain and we want to maximise the potential that a new build offers by ensuring our facilities are multi-use and accessible to everyone.”

Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust.  Jane Coley, CEO of the Ascend Learning Trust, added: “This is such an exciting time for the whole community at Lawn Manor Academy. 

“The school has been transformed under the leadership of Mrs Muir and her team and the new school build will be transformational for the students, staff and all in the locality. 

“The whole team at Ascend Learning Trust will be supporting the staff at Lawn Manor Academy as they embark on this wonderful project.”

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