Tilbury Douglas breaks ground on New Beacon Academy in Cleethorpes

The event was attended by representatives from Tilbury Douglas, the Department for Education (DfE), the school, and its pupils. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition in construction, symbolising the start of a project and representing the first step toward building a new future.

The new academy is part of the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme, a decade-long initiative aimed at reconstructing and refurbishing more than 500 schools and sixth-form colleges across the country. This programme is designed to create modern, sustainable learning environments for students and teachers.

Delivered through the DfE’s Framework, the project will feature a new three-storey secondary school building and the refurbishment of an existing block, which will provide classrooms and specialist Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) teaching facilities. The development also includes enhanced parking facilities and new social spaces for students.

Beacon Academy, a growing school, has increased its intake of students, and the new facilities will cater to this expansion. The new school is being designed with a focus on sustainability, aiming for net zero carbon in operation. Features will include air source heat pumps, a green roof with photovoltaic panels, and other energy-efficient systems to reduce environmental impact and promote biodiversity.

Paul Ellenor, Regional Director for Yorkshire and the North East at Tilbury Douglas, commented: “Breaking ground at Beacon Academy marks the beginning of an exciting transformation for the school and the wider community. This project will not only enhance the learning environment for students, but also support local economic growth by creating jobs, apprenticeships, and T-Level opportunities. We look forward to working closely with our partners to deliver a modern, sustainable facility that will serve the academy for years to come.”

Jason Thurley, Headteacher at Beacon Academy, said: “The groundbreaking ceremony represented a very special event for the whole Beacon Academy community. We are all extremely excited to witness the start of the project to rebuild our school with a brand-new state-of-the-art facility which will transform the educational experience for our students for many years to come. We are delighted to have been chosen by the DfE. I would like to thank the project teams from the DfE, Tilbury Douglas and the Wellspring Academy Trust. The support the academy has received has been exceptional and we are very grateful.”

Phil Shaw, Managing Director – Building North at Tilbury Douglas, added: “The groundbreaking ceremony is a significant milestone, marking the start of a project that will shape the future of education for Beacon Academy. We are proud to lead the construction of this state-of-the-art facility, which will create a lasting, positive impact on the school and its community. Our commitment to sustainability and innovation will ensure the new academy provides an exceptional learning environment for generations to come.”