Willmott Dixon has broken ground on the transformation of Outwood Academy Kirkby in Nottinghamshire, to deliver a secondary school and sixth form that will replace the existing 1970s buildings with a modern, sustainable educational facility for 900 pupils.

Appointed by the DfE as part of the national School Rebuilding Programme (SRP), the project was secured through the DfE Construction Framework following the granting of full planning permission by Ashfield District Council.

Designed by ADP Architecture, it will feature purpose-built classrooms for science, drama and technology, enhanced external facilities including a brand-new all-weather pitch and multi-use games courts, and spacious social areas. The facility will be powered by a combination of air source heat pumps and solar panels, meeting the DfE’s latest sustainability specification, and will deliver a ten per cent biodiversity net gain.

To ensure continuity of education, construction will follow a carefully phased approach. A temporary teaching block will be used alongside existing sports facilities until the new main building is ready for use in the 2028/29 academic year. Once the new school is complete, the existing buildings will be demolished to make way for the final external sports areas.

Outwood Academy Kirkby is Willmott Dixon’s third school for Outwood Grange Academies Trust, following the completion of Outwood Academy Danum in Doncaster and Outwood Academy Hemsworth in Wakefield.

Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon:

“Willmott Dixon has a strong track record of delivering sustainable schools across the country, including the UK’s first Passivhaus Plus school for the London Borough of Sutton. Aligning the new Outwood Academy Kirkby with the DfE’s latest output specification will help ensure the building is fit for the future. Much of the social value we deliver throughout the construction phase will be focused on helping prepare local students for their own future careers.”

Andy Scruby, Lead Principal at Outwood Academy Kirkby:

“This is a historic milestone for Outwood Academy Kirkby. Following our recent Ofsted rating and national recognition for transformation, this new building is a pivotal piece of the puzzle. It ensures our students and our wider community will have access to the very best facilities to support their learning, creativity and physical well-being.”

A DfE spokesperson added:

“The School Rebuilding Programme is delighted to support the future of the children of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and the ambition of Outwood Academy Kirkby, with this significant investment. With the support of our capable partners in Willmott Dixon and Outwood Academy, we’re confident in delivering the right teaching environment to support the step-change in results that Mr Scruby and his team have laid the foundations for.”

Since joining the Outwood Family of Schools in September 2022, Outwood Academy Kirkby has achieved rapid improvements, securing an Ofsted ‘Good’ rating in May 2025 and being recognised in the top one per cent nationally for school transformation.

Willmott Dixon’s DfE track-record

Willmott Dixon’s growing DfE education portfolio includes the recently secured £39 million Hopwood Hall College redevelopment in Rochdale, the £20.7 million Durham Academy in County Durham, and the net-zero carbon in operation Tarleton Academy in Preston. The company also delivered Brian Clarke Academy for the DfE in Oldham in 2023 and is currently on site delivering the Wigan and Leigh College campus redevelopment.

Community Investment and Social Value

Creating opportunities for the local community is at the heart of this project. Willmott Dixon, alongside its supply chain partners, is committed to delivering substantial social value including employment opportunities for local residents, apprenticeship training for young people, and engagement with local schools and colleges to inspire the next generation.