£1m investment boost for Somercotes Academy.

The school became part of the Tollbar Multi Academy Trust in November 2015 and has since received a £1million investment for improvments.

In just under 12-months, it has since been used to completely transform the school. It has provided both internal and external refurbishments across the site. The investment was made by the trust to ensure the pupils have ‘the very best environment for teaching and learning’.

The Tollbar Multi Academy Trust’s chief executive David Hampson said: “We have invested heavily in Somercotes Academy because we think these children deserve the very best education in an environment they can be proud of.

“This is now the best educational facility in the area in terms of resources and teaching. We have invested more than £1­million so far and the improvements will continue.”

Using the money, the academy now has new science and language labs fully equipped with the latest technology, a new computer room and high-tech kitchens. Plus nearly every classroom has been fully refurbished.

The latest addition to the site is a new fitness suite, which has been equipped with a vast range of high-tech gym equipment, more often found in a private health club.

The fitness suite will be used for PE lessons for all year groups as part of the school curriculum, for GCSE students as part of their PE exam courses, and by all students for lunchtime and after-school clubs.

The latest improvements on site have seen the academy go from strength to strength, with 26 new teachers starting at the school since it became an academy.

They have also welcomed over 70 new students to the school and are hoping these figures will increase.

Mr Hampton added: “We are now reliant upon parents to ensure that this school continues to grow, by giving it their support and sending their children here.

“We are encouraging them to come to the academy and have a look at what we have to offer.”