Major works to Nottinghamshire school and gymnastics academy almost £1m over budget
Rushcliffe Spencer Academy in West Bridgford
By Latifa Yedroudj, Junior Local Democracy Reporter
A multi-million pound expansion of a Nottinghamshire school and nearby gymnastics academy are expected to go almost £1 million over a £27 million budget.
The increase to the project at Rushcliffe Spencer Academy follows fire safety measures and a “substantial amount” of asbestos being discovered at older school buildings.
The school has undergone major construction work to add 560 more secondary school places and create extra class space for pupils.
Operator Spencer Academies Trust, which runs 26 academies across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, received a £27 million grant in 2023 for the building works to the school and gymnastics academy.
But new Nottinghamshire County Council reports reveal the final project costs are expected to go £863,603 over budget.
A report reads: “The original school buildings are of CLASP construction and contain a substantial amount of asbestos.
“Although pre-demolition and construction investigations and reports were
completed, more asbestos was discovered than was originally anticipated.
“The additional work required to remove the asbestos also resulted in a claim for an extension of time of thirteen weeks.”
The document adds: “Further surveys on the buildings have revealed that fire compartmentalisation does not meet current building regulations, and this issue needs to be addressed using a ‘whole building’ approach.”
The expansion will feature a new teaching block with dining facilities and sports hall and associated changing facilities.
There will also be remodelling works to existing buildings and improvements to the external areas such as school access, car parking and grassroots pitch areas.
The school will welcome an intake of new students in September this year.
The council also requested additional funding to upgrade the nearby Notts Gymnastics Academy as a ‘stand alone’ facility.
It was previously physically attached to the old Rushcliffe Leisure Centre, parts of which were demolished in 2022.
The document adds: “The Notts Gymnastics Association (NGA) is a council-owned building.
“This building was originally linked to the on-site leisure centre, which was demolished as part of this project.
“Remedial works were required to enable the building to become ‘stand-alone’, and additional works intended to improve the NGA were included in the academy’s proposals.”
The council says the extra money needed will come from funding of £551,703 from the developer and £311,900 from the council’s own School Places Programme funding.
Rushcliffe Spencer Academy and Notts Gymnastics Academy were contacted for comment.
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