Students celebrated a major milestone in the construction of Northumberland’s new super-school as the £50 million project reached its topping out ceremony.
This traditional ceremony marked the completion of the highest point of the new Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School, which will welcome over 1,200 students starting September 2025.
Part of Northumberland County Council’s multi-million-pound investment in school facilities across the county, the project aims to transform education for young people in Seaton Valley for generations to come.
BAM Construction is delivering the project, which will see the two schools rebuilt on a new shared campus with state-of-the-art learning and sports facilities, including a fitness studio, swimming pool, and 3G pitch, all of which will be available for use by the wider community.
Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet member for Inspiring Young People, said: “We’re almost six months into the project and there has been so much progress. We can now see where the individual classrooms are, where the swimming pool is, and the sports fields. We’re on schedule, we’re on time. It’s great to see everyone working so hard to get this project finished. We’re very proud that 93.3% of schools in Northumberland are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. We’re investing in school facilities across the county so that our young people can have the very best start possible.”
Council Leader, Cllr Glen Sanderson, added: “This is the most wonderful thing I’ve seen for a long time. Our investment in education across the county is an investment in our young people and our communities for their future and for the future of Northumberland. This project is also supporting local jobs and apprenticeships, driving growth in the local supply chain and wider economy.”
Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School students, Charlotte and Stephen, were invited on a tour of the site to report back to fellow students on the latest progress.
Charlotte said: “The new school build is getting along great and I can’t wait. I’m very excited for it to be finished as from the plans it looks very modern. I think the thing I am most excited about is the swimming pool.”
Stephen added: “The building is massive and it was good to see them working on the sports facilities. We heard how they will all be available for the community too.
John Barnes, Executive Headteacher of the Seaton Valley Federation, said: Well on a very wet, gray day, I can’t stop smiling because the school is just coming along fabulously. I can’t wait to be in here all set up and ready to go and start the next stage of our development as a Federation.
