St. Modwen completes new £4.5 million primary school in Hilton, Derbyshire

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Young People Cllr Alex Dale with Mease Spencer Academy pupils

St. Modwen, the developer behind the regeneration of the former Ministry of Defence Central Vehicle Storage Depot in Hilton, South Derbyshire, has completed the build of a new £4.5 million primary school which welcomed its first students in September.

Construction began on the new Mease Spencer Academy in December 2018, with the school opening its doors to teachers and pupils for the start of the 2019 Autumn Term.

The school forms part of the wider regeneration of the former MoD site, on which St. Modwen’s dedicated housebuilding business, St. Modwen Homes, has already delivered over 145 new homes to date. Construction work has also started on its next phase of 170 new homes, with additional employment opportunities and strategic open space being delivered over the coming years.

Accommodating up to 210 pupils, the one-form entry Mease Spencer Academy boasts seven new classrooms and a host of facilities including outdoor learning areas, a spacious hall, library, a multi-use games area and a football pitch which is available for use by the local community. The school also holds impressive green credentials with solar panels, underfloor heating and a sustainable drainage system that helps boost local biodiversity.

Steven Smith, Construction Manager at St. Modwen, said:

“It’s fantastic to see teachers and pupils already enjoying their new school and we’re proud to have worked alongside Derbyshire County Council to deliver a first-class teaching facility that will stand the Hilton community in good stead for many years to come.”

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Young People, Councillor Alex Dale, said:

“We’re so pleased to be part of this exciting new project helping to provide children in Hilton with the best possible start to their school life. “We’ve worked in close partnership with the Trust, the building developer and the Principal and staff at the school and it’s great to see all the hard work from decision making, planning, funding and building come to fruition with the doors opening to its first pupils this term. “I’m confident The Mease Spencer Academy will create a lasting legacy helping children aspire and achieve their potential for generations to come, as well as providing benefits for the wider community with its shared-use facilities. “The Mease Spencer Academy will ensure families in the Hilton area will have the choice of two excellent schools, helping to give local children the best possible start in life.”

Julia Hart, Headteacher at Mease Spencer Academy, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled that the build is now complete. Our state-of-the-art environment is the perfect place for Spencer children to start their learning journey. The first day of term was full of excitement from parents, children and staff as they explored the amazing facilities that The Mease has to offer. We look forward to growing into our school and providing a valuable hub for a new community.”