Abbeywood Community School in Stoke Gifford has unveiled its brand-new £12 million facilities, enabling it to welcome more students through its doors.
Funded by South Gloucestershire Council, the improvements include a new Olympus Building — a fully accessible, 10-classroom block with additional staff facilities — which opened on Friday, February 6.
The first phase of the project, completed in March last year, delivered a refurbished school kitchen, an extended dance studio, and upgraded changing rooms for PE classes.
To support the council’s commitment to working towards net zero and reducing operating costs, the school has also installed photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and air-source heat pumps.
Interim CEO of Olympus Academy Trust, which runs the school, Claire Moloney-Banks, said: “Abbeywood Community School continues to grow at the heart of our community.
“Designed for 180 students per year group, we have expanded and now welcome 240 students annually.
To support this growth and uphold our high standards, significant investment in our facilities has been welcomed.
“I am delighted to announce the opening of the new Olympus Building, a modern ten classroom block funded by South Gloucestershire Council. Alongside our enhanced catering, changing and drama space, this state-of-the-art building strengthens our provision and ensures we continue to offer a first-class learning experience.
“Together with our main school and the Engineering Centre, the Olympus Building positions us to serve our community with excellence for many years to come.”
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Schools, Councillor Ian Boulton, said: “I am thrilled that this project is now complete and these improvements to the school will be enjoyed by staff and pupils alike for years to come.
“We have invested almost £12 million in this project, and in other parts of the district we have been able to get projects that had stalled underway.
“We don’t just want to talk about the future for our children in South Gloucestershire, we want to help build it. Better school buildings and catering for growing pupil numbers is a key part of that mission.”
The project has been funded using a combination of the council’s capital funding and Section 106 contributions, which are provided from housing developments in the area, to help pay for the infrastructure needed to support new homes.