Construction begins on new schools after delays

A number of challenges have been faced since the schools were proposed, including the pandemic and the inflation rate

Construction is finally under way for two new schools, which are primed to welcome their first pupils in just over two years.

Funding has been agreed and contracts have been signed for the construction of the new primary and secondary schools in Lyde Green, South Gloucestershire.

The schools, for which more than £58m was set aside, will take on more than 1,300 pupils in total.

They will be open in time for the 2026/27 academic year after being delayed due to the pandemic and inflation rates.

The 420-place primary school will be run by the Castle School Education Trust, and the 900-place secondary school will be run by Olympus Academy Trust.

The funding comprises of almost £24m from South Gloucestershire Council, and more than £38m from the Department of Education under the Free Schools programme.

As the schools will be built to Passivhaus standards - a quality assured standard for low energy building - they will be highly energy efficient and optimised to be net zero.

This means they should be cheaper to run.

Plans for the schools shared with the BBC in 2021 include facilities for the community to use

South Gloucestershire Council co-leader and cabinet member with responsibility for schools, Ian Boulton, said: "Since we formed the new administration last year our focus has been to finally deliver these vital schools.

"I am delighted that we are now able to see construction getting underway and that funding has been secured to deliver these brand-new schools for the local community.

"I would like to thank our officers and partners who have been working flat out in order to get to this point with a view to meeting the challenging deadlines we have set for ourselves."

The project has experiences delays in recent years due to the pandemic and very high inflation, leading to a significant rise in the scheme's estimated cost.

Both schools will benefit from a "core area", composed of purpose-built, shared-use sports facilities.

The aim is to make these available for use even before the schools are completed, once parking and changing facilities are finalised.