Willmott Dixon has been appointed for a £32 million contract to create the new Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood.

The academy’s existing premises in Thrift Farm Lane is in need of urgent repairs with run-down classrooms that are hot in the summer and cold in the winter and single-storey buildings not fitted to modern educational needs.

Hertswood Academy Trust used Scape Group’s Major Works framework to procure Willmott Dixon to build a new home in Cowley Hill that enables the academy to consolidate the existing upper and lower sites into a single, educational and communal facility.

The new Hertswood Academy will ensure students have an exceptional environment to learn in with access to the best technology available. It includes a library, theatre and sports centre, while cutting-edge ICT will be in every classroom and students will benefit from expansive open learning spaces.

The academy will be built around a quadrangle containing a sensory garden with further outside space to the rear consisting of green space, squash courts, a gym, dance studio and new sports hall.

Mike Page, preconstruction manager for Willmott Dixon:

“We are now working with Bond Bryan Architects on the academy’s detailed design with building work scheduled to start later this year and complete in autumn 2019.”

Head teacher Peter Gillett said: "During the construction of our new academy, we will continue to raise standards and provide an excellent educational environment for your child."

Chris Tredget, managing director of Willmott Dixon in Hitchin, said: “Providing pioneering educational facilities is something we specialise in; the new Hertswood Academy building will give students everything they need to really excel in their studies. It is a pleasure to be able to create a school that will provide so much for future generations in the local area.”

Willmott Dixon has an impressive track record in the education sector having built over 100 schools in the past three years. Recent projects include Harris Primary Academy, its eighth school in Croydon, Manchester Enterprise Academy, Primrose Lane Primary in Somerset and the refurbishment and extension of Dover Christchurch Academy for Kent County Council.