School render

Thank you for your interest in the proposed development at Shrewsbury Academy. In April Sundorne Infant school relocated to Harlescott Junior school and Shrewsbury Academy is to take over the whole of the site.

Since this time, the school, The Marches Academy Trust, and the Department for Education (DfE) have reviewed the current educational offer at the site and now wish to undertake a series of refurbishment and extension works to enhance the secondary school facilities across the site.

This webpage explains more about the scheme, development timescales and how you can provide feedback before the application is submitted.

About the Site

Shrewsbury Academy lies within the area of Sundorne. The eastern perimeter of the site is bound by Meadow Farm Drive and The Church of the Holy Spirit whilst the remainder of the boundaries adjoin the rear gardens of residential properties fronting Corndon Crescent and East Crescent.

The secondary school comprises a mixture of single and two storey buildings whilst the former infant school buildings are generally single storey. The site includes areas of hardstanding devoted to parking, formal and informal play, playing fields and grassed amenity spaces. There are several trees both within and along the boundary to the site.

The site lies within a predominantly residential area and is in a sustainable location with good access to a range of services and facilities. There are bus stops close to the site offering regular bus services and Shrewsbury railway station is approximately 3km away.

The Proposal

The Department for Education have appointed Tilbury Douglas to design and build the works.

The proposed development includes several elements which, once approved will be implemented in phases. All of the proposed works are to be included as part of one planning application in order to provide clarity on how the school and the Trust wish the site to be developed, and the improvements which are planned to enhance the educational facilities at Shrewsbury Academy.

The application will include the following key elements:

  • Construction of a new two-storey STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) teaching block in the centre of the campus. The new building will also include a dedicated library and learning resource centre (LLRC) which the school does not currently benefit from;
  • Refurbishment of the former infant school to provide general teaching accommodation, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) space and ancillary facilities;
  • Targeted remodelling and refurbishment of areas within the existing secondary school;
  • Improved access throughout the school through the provision of ramped and lift access;
  • Removal of two modular classroom buildings that are located on existing areas of hardstanding which will be made available as play space. In addition, the demolition of the existing nursery and IT/RE accommodation; and
  • Relocation of the West Midland Reserve Forces and Cadets’ Association community facility to an alterative location within the site.

The proposed works are to meet the needs of the pupils at the school allowing for the increase in pupil numbers currently being experienced. It is proposed that student numbers will be increased gradually from currently 800 to 1,200 by 2024. The planned increase in numbers at the site is comparable to the loss of students and staff associated with the former infant school.

The main element of the proposed improvement works is the construction of the new STEM building. The STEM block will deliver modern teaching and learning facilities for pupils and staff alike in a high-quality environment. It is expected that the new facility will promote better pupil outcomes and ultimately, improve results for pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4.

The development ensures that the Cadets Association will have access to their existing building, or the proposed alternative throughout the construction programme.

Highways and Access

The current access points are to remain unaffected by the development but will be used for specific purposes to segregate different types of movements thereby enhancing pedestrian and cycle safety and reducing pressure at key times of the day.

The site is served by three vehicle access points located to the north, south and west and two additional pedestrian accesses to the east. Essentially, pupils from years 9, 10 and 11 will enter from the north gate and years 7 and 8 from the east gate. Staff will enter from the south and west gates.

The site has 84 car parking spaces (including 8 disabled) which will remain available for use by staff and visitors.

Design and Sustainability:

The proposed STEM building has a linear arrangement and creates a link between the secondary school and the former primary school. This brings the buildings together physically, and visually, working to create a campus feel across the site. The demolition of the IT/RE block and the relocation of the Cadet building also provides the opportunity for a central landscaped quadrangle and outside socialising space.

The new building will have a contemporary feel with a simple design and clean lines, complementing the surrounding environment. It will be built with a brick and render finish and includes large windows to provide a well-lit and appealing internal space. The building has been designed to sit comfortably within the site, positioned away from residential boundaries.

It is considered that the proposed development would make a positive contribution to its immediate setting, improve the appearance of the site and be in keeping with the character and appearance of the area.

School render

What Happens Next?

We aim to submit a planning application in late July 2022. Subject to planning permission being granted and works commencing in November 2022, it is intended that the refurbished former infant school will be complete in Easter 2023, with the new STEM building ready for occupation in Autumn 2023.

More information about the Trust can be found at https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/

Your Views

If you have any questions on these proposals or would like to make comments about the scheme before the application is submitted, please get in touch. You can:

  • Attend our community consultation event on the 29th June at Shrewsbury Academy from 3.30pm to 6pm;
  • Visit https://www.marchesacademytrust.co.uk/
  • Email us at info@qaplanning.co.uk;
  • Write to us at Q+A Planning Ltd, The Stables, Paradise Wharf, Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2JN; or
  • Provide feedback on the proposals using the form below.

Please ensure comments are received by the 10th July 2022.

    Do you support the proposed development at Shrewsbury Academy?

    Thank you for taking the time to respond. Your views are very important to us.