Newton Abbot Academy reveals plans for a £2.4m facelift
PLANS have been unveiled to give Newton Abbot's Coombeshead Academy a £2.4 million facelift.
The school has applied for funding to give the main entrance an overhaul, build 10 new classes and two new IT labs.
The new build would also house an administration wing and offices for senior staff.
It has applied to the Department of Education for a grant from the Academy Capital Maintenance Fund and will find out if it is successful in April.
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Work could begin six to eight weeks later and it should take around nine months to complete.
"We want to bring the school into the 21st century," said deputy head Iain Freeland.
"It will make a dramatic difference as the current entrance and surround has life-expired. We hope that if we get the go-ahead. The redevelopment will help link the whole school site together.
"The new entrance would be a strong image. We hope that by having new buildings and facilities it will also help increase our standards further."
Exeter-based architects TFQ have created the vision for the building project.
The school is also spending almost £250,000 on updating its gas and electricity system.
It will take two months to complete and work has just started.
"The gas will be turned off during February half term to minimise disruption to students," said Mr Freeland.
More than £40,000 has been spent on solar panels, which are situated on the technology building.
"The panels will reduce energy bills and have already helped this winter," said Mr Freeland.
"We worked with Ipplepen company South West Free Energy on the project."
Students are also enjoying upgraded catering facilities which were opened last term with £130,000 spent on new equipment and refurbishing the dining area.
Mr Freeland said: "The aim was to get students to eat more and eat better food. We've noticed that the amount of people who use the facility has gone up by 25 per cent.
"We've also introduced a grab-and-go counter for students who don't have a long break at lunch time as they go to clubs and they don't have to queue for food. It has been great success."
The school also spent £150,000 on a new modern toilet block last summer.
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