Education minister ‘breaks ground’ on major Coventry school rebuild

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has ‘broken ground’ on an ambitious £38million rebuild at a school which will soon join the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership.

West Coventry Academy, which is set to become part of the highly-respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership in January, is one of the first schools to benefit from the Government’s £2billion 10-year School Rebuilding Programme.

The £38.4 million project will see a complete rebuild of the school, and includes a brand new, state of the art sports hall and swimming pool, which will also serve the local community.

As with all schools in the national rebuilding programme, West Coventry Academy’s new buildings will be designed to reduce energy consumption and support the UK’s net zero by 2050 target.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “Today I broke ground on one of the first 500 schools that the government is rebuilding, and which will transform the lives of thousands of children over years to come.  

“We are revolutionising the school estate to future proof both our children’s education and the environment, with new school buildings that are net zero in operation – leading the charge for more sustainable schools and supporting students and teachers to make a positive impact on the environment.”

“These rebuilds and refurbishments, with the first 100 projects backed by £2bn government funding, will create world-leading education facilities, from classrooms and science labs to sports halls and dining rooms.”

West Coventry Academy headteacher Ana Neofitou said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to host the minister today – and it was great to be able to share our exciting plans with him and show him around the school.

“The minister was incredibly interested in what the students are doing and asked them some very interesting questions as we visited classrooms – particularly about lost education and how they are going to move forward now that school’s back to normal.

“He was thrilled to see the plans and said he was very pleased to be able to make the investment, which will make a huge difference for students and the wider community.”

ATLP CEO Richard Gill CBE said: “We are very excited about West Coventry Academy joining the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership and we are looking forward to seeing how this remarkable and ambitious rebuild unfolds.

“It is the kind of investment which will change the lives of students and staff alike, and it was great to be able to hear them explain to the minister the difference it will make.”