Work is beginning this week on a major £9.5 million expansion of Abbeyfield School in Chippenham, which will create space for hundreds more pupils and provide new sixth form facilities.
Wiltshire Council is investing in the project, which will be delivered over three phases and will eventually create teaching space for an additional 450 pupils and 39 staff. Abbeyfield School currently accommodates 900 pupils aged 11 to 16, alongside 171 post-16 students.
The first phase will provide capacity for up to 150 additional pupils from September 2027, with the timing of later phases dependent on the pace of new housing development in Chippenham. The completed development will provide new two-storey teaching space, a hall, sixth form study area, changing rooms and classrooms.
Phase one includes a hall and performance space with a post-16 area, five classrooms and toilets. Phase two will add a further six classrooms and four science laboratories, while phase three will include two art rooms, three Design and Technology rooms and another three classrooms.
There will also be additional parking, a new covered bike store and staff and visitor parking. A package of off-site infrastructure improvements will support safe and accessible travel to and from the school.
Morgan Sindall Construction is the main contractor for the project.
Cllr Jon Hubbard, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Education, said, “It’s good news to see work beginning this week on this important project. This expansion is a vital investment for Chippenham’s future, ensuring we can provide high-quality school places where they are needed most.
“Abbeyfield School is a valued part of the local community, and these improvements will help create a modern, welcoming learning environment that supports young people to achieve their full potential.”
Nick Norgrove, Headteacher at Abbeyfield School, said, “This is a truly exciting moment for our school community. The new Sixth Form building and performance hall will provide outstanding facilities that support our students both academically and creatively.
“This development has been in the pipeline for several years, so it is wonderful to see the build finally starting and to know that our vision is becoming a reality.”
He added that the school was particularly excited to work with Morgan Sindall to provide pupils with engagement activities throughout the build, including learning about careers within the construction industry, employment opportunities and workplace skills.
Robert Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction’s South West, said, “We’re thrilled to be going onto site with the first phase of Abbeyfield School’s expansion. The new facilities will allow the school to grow and offer a more comprehensive Sixth Form experience to students wanting to go into further education.
“We’re already familiar with the site, having spent significant time recently clearing the site and relocating slow worms, grass snakes and orchids. We are looking forward to working closely with existing schools in the local area to provide employer engagement opportunities for pupils.”
