Work has started on a new school in East Leake. Millside Spencer Academy, which will have capacity for 315 primary pupils and accommodate a 26-place nursery at its site in Rempstone Road, is part of a £14 million plan for the village.
The school, which is being built on former farming land, is expected to open for the new academic school year in September 2023. It was planned in order to fulfil the need created by nearby housing developments, such as The Skylarks estate, and developers say it will "satisfy projected demand for primary school places in East Leake".
The permanent Millside Spencer Academy building is required to be operational for September 2023 in order to continue the education of pupils admitted in September 2022. Pupils are currently taught in a temporary building.
Read more: Big step forward for new East Leake school as plans submitted
Representatives from key partners joined a group of pupils from Millside Spencer Academy and Nottinghamshire County councillor Tracey Taylor, and Leake and Ruddington divisional member, councillor Matt Barney, at a ceremony to mark the start of work at the new development.
Cllr Taylor said: “It was fantastic to visit the site and meet the children, school staff and our partners for this significant milestone as part of the delivery of Millside Spencer Academy in East Leake. It really is an exciting project, and I am delighted work has finally started on building the new school, which will provide the best learning environment for the pupils.
“The council’s major investment in delivering the new Spencer Academies Trust-sponsored East Leake primary school reinforces our commitment to ensuring all Nottinghamshire children have access to the best education and have an opportunity to succeed. I am delighted to be working with our partners to deliver this fantastic project and Millside Spencer Academy will be a great addition to the county’s family of schools – as well as a huge benefit to a village where many new families have moved to.”
East Leake was previously described as a 'small town' because of the various housing developments in the area, and one local councillor said schools were 'full to bursting'.
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