STUDENTS gave guided tours of new classrooms and facilities at a Weston-super-Mare school as it opened for the new year.

Youngsters at Winterstoke Hundred Academy marked the start of the new school year with a special event to celebrate the award-winning facilities at their recently-opened school expansion.

The new building, in Locking Parklands, was developed and built by North Somerset Council, with project contractors, Kier, and the Cabot Learning Federation.

To mark the new term, pupils led tours around the facilities, showing off modern classrooms and highlighting their favourite features, before a tree-planting ceremony that saw an apple tree was handed over to the school, signifying growth for the future and the fruits of investment in education.

Grace Hart, a Year 11 pupil, said: “The new building is bigger, brighter and a great space to learn. It’s also quiet, which makes it easier to concentrate – it’s the perfect environment to be in and I’m very proud to be here.”

The expansion of Winterstoke Hundred Academy was designed to accommodate up to 900 pupils as numbers in the community rise.

The expansion was also designed to achieve Net Zero Carbon in operation, and includes sustainable features to keep classrooms cool in the summer and warm in winter, as well as solar panels that generate energy for the school and the national grid.

The project was government funded through Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, with the aim of supporting future growth and creating opportunities for those living and working in the area.

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, deputy leader of North Somerset Council and executive member for children’s services, families and lifelong learning, said: “It’s been exciting to see the expansion of Winterstoke Hundred Academy take shape over the past two years.

“Touring the school, it’s clear what an innovative building it is and the difference it will make for pupils, and the wider community, for years to come.”

She said the “eco-school sets a new standard for sustainability in construction in both North Somerset and the wider region” and is an “example in what can be achieved when we work to cut carbon and improve energy efficiency from the earliest stages of design”.

“Industry experts have already started to recognise what we have achieved with accolades and awards. We hope this sets the tone as we work with the government to secure future funding necessary to provide for our residents and unlock growth vital to our area,” she added.

Jason Taylor, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “It is wonderful to see the students and staff enjoying Winterstoke Hundred Academy now that it’s complete.

“It is a project that we are extremely proud to have delivered for North Somerset Council and the Cabot Learning Federation.

“Outstanding collaboration across all teams has also enabled us to deliver employment and training opportunities to the local community as part of our social value commitments.”

Matt Randle, principal at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, added: “It is a privilege to be working in our new purpose-built school buildings. The bright, open and vibrant design provides for excellent eco credentials in line with the school’s commitment to environmental sustainability alongside fantastic specialist spaces and classrooms.

“Our school is designed to grow with increasing demand from our local community as we aim to deliver a responsive curriculum that meets the needs of students and employers.

“We are excited to see the way our school is becoming a real hub for the residents of Weston-super-Mare.”

Gabby Stevens, assistant framework manager at Southern Construction Framework, said: “At SCF, we aspire to create truly integrated contractor, consultant and client teams in order to deliver outstanding projects. This project is the perfect example of the whole integrated team working together to create something exceptional.

“It was a pleasure to attend the opening event where the students led us on a tour of their new school. Seeing their excitement and pride in their new environment was incredibly rewarding for all involved.”