Rushcliffe Spencer Academy marked a major milestone on Friday 17 April, with the official opening of its brand-new C Block.
The school welcomed staff, leaders from Spencer Academies Trust, representatives from Nottinghamshire County Council, project partners and students to a special opening event celebrating the completion of the ambitious £32 million expansion project.
The moment marked the official opening of the state-of-the-art facility, which will play a key role in meeting growing demand for school places in the area.
The new C Block forms part of a wider transformation of the site, creating 450 additional secondary school places alongside modern classrooms, specialist teaching spaces, social areas and a bright, spacious sports hall designed to support both learning and wellbeing.
Executive Principal Graeme Smith spoke about the vision behind the project and the opportunities the new building will provide for up to 600 young people.
Principal Sarah Sismey reflected on the journey to completion, describing the scale of the development and the pride in seeing the finished building come to life after years of planning and collaboration.
A highlight of the event came from student speaker Roshni, who shared her enthusiasm for the new facilities, praising the modern design, high-quality equipment and improved learning spaces. She spoke about the food technology rooms, the organisation of the building and the new sports hall, which allows students to take part in activities such as pickleball and badminton.
Following the ceremony, guests were invited on student-led tours of the building, visiting a range of spaces including textiles, food technology, English classrooms showcasing creative work, PE lessons in action and the new dining areas. The tours offered a first-hand look at how the building is already supporting teaching and learning across the academy.
Richard Fielding, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction’s Midlands business, said: “At Morgan Sindall, we are dedicated to finding intelligent solutions to improving educational facilities. It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to provide modern, new facilities while also enhancing existing facilities to meet demand in the area.
“It has been a privilege to work with the Spencer Academies Trust, the council and the local community, including students and parents, to establish priorities and needs. Through clear communication and protocols, we have been able to let students continue with their education without disruption. We’re delighted to celebrate the completion of this important project and the positive impact it will have on the community.”
Sue Churchill, Director at Church Lukas, reflected on the significance of the project: “The official opening of RSA Block C was a very emotional moment. We’ve worked with the school for over 15 years, and this multi-phase project — including a major expansion and securing the home of the Notts Gymnastics Academy — is the most complex we’ve delivered together.
“The ribbon-cutting was a lovely milestone, but the highlight was hearing pupils talk about the building. Confident, eloquent and ambitious, they showed us the new spaces and what they mean to them. We hand over a blank canvas, and the school community brings it to life.”
The event was also attended by Councillor Rory Green, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, and Wayne Bexton, Director of Economy, Environment & Assets at Nottinghamshire County Council, alongside senior leaders from Spencer Academies Trust, including Kate Green, Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Councillor Rory Green said: “We are pleased to have supported this project, which is a fantastic place for children and young people to learn. It was impressive to see the hard work and dedication from staff at the academy, Arc Partnership and Morgan Sindall in delivering this state-of-the-art building.
“More than anything, what really shone were the pupils. Their maturity and gratitude filled me with great confidence for our next generation. I was genuinely awestruck by their ability to communicate with the large group of adults and their fellow pupils. What a credit they are to their school, family and friends.”
The wider project has delivered extensive improvements across the site, including refurbishment works, enhanced sports provision, improved transport facilities and significant social value contributions to the local community.
