Steel signing ceremony marks major milestone in Derbyshire academy rebuild

Staff and students from Mercia Academy in Newhall, Swadlincote, along with invited guests, took part in a steel signing ceremony, as the rebuild of their school reached a major milestone: the installation of its structural steel frame.

The ceremony was organised in conjunction with the project's contractor, Kier. It was attended by District Councillor, Kalila Storey, local Councillor Sean Bambrick, representatives* from the Department for Education and Lionheart Educational Trust, Nick Holmes, Associate Principal at Mercia Academy, and ten students from the school, all of whom signed the beam before it was lifted into place.

Kath Kelly, CEO of Lionheart Educational Trust, of which Mercia Academy is a member, said:   "Reaching this milestone and being able to celebrate it with a steel signing ceremony highlights just how far we have come. We’d like to extend our thanks to all those involved in the project. 

“We are creating more than just a new school building; we are investing in the future of education in Newhall. Signing the steel is a symbolic marker of embedding our history into the physical fabric of the building, something we are very proud of and that we know our students will remember for years to come.” 

The rebuild of Mercia Academy is being funded by the Department for Education and confirmed by the then Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, during the Autumn Budget speech in 2024. With a need for a new school building due to significant condition need, the old building has since been demolished and the new foundations have been laid; meanwhile a temporary modular school was constructed for use by the students and staff.

The school, which is due to be ready during the 2027-28 academic year, will maintain its capacity for 750 students and be state-of-the-art in design, providing modern learning environments and improved facilities to support its current and future students.

Commenting on the new build, Nick Holmes, Associate Principal at Mercia Academy, said: "Our school's story is one of resilience and innovation, qualities we are proud to champion at Mercia Academy. Throughout its history, our school has undergone many transformations. It has changed its name, offered separate schools for girls and boys, been merged into a mixed secondary school, and then, in 1959, relocated to new premises.

“Our new building will represent the next part our story, and we cannot wait to welcome our students, their families and the local community through the doors.”

Tony Shenton, Acting Managing Director, Kier Construction Eastern & Midlands, said: “The beam signing is an important milestone for Mercia Academy and a moment to celebrate the excellent progress being made on site. This project is about much more than delivering a new building; it is about creating a high-quality, modern environment that will support teaching and learning, enrich the experience of students and staff, and provide lasting benefits for the wider community.

“We are proud to be working collaboratively with the DfE, the Trust and our supply chain to bring this vision to life and look forward to building on this progress as the project moves towards completion.”

Nathan Wilks, Project Director, Department for Education Construction Delivery, said: “This beam signing ceremony is a proud milestone for our School Rebuilding Programme project. It is an opportunity to celebrate the strong progress being made on site and the collaborative efforts of all those involved in delivering this much-needed investment in Mercia Academy. Once complete, the new school will provide a sustainable, inclusive and inspiring environment that will support excellent teaching and learning for years to come.”