The ongoing construction of new primary and secondary schools in South Gloucestershire is set to deliver some of the largest educational facilities in England. The development in Lyde Green is expected to be ready for students by the start of the 2026/27 academic year, following several years of setbacks and delays.
Initially planned for a 2022 opening, the project faced successive 12-month delays, pushing the completion date to September 2026. These delays have sparked frustration among parents, who perceive the situation as a failure to meet the needs of hundreds of school children.
Commencing construction in March 2024, BAM has employed a key design feature in the form of a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) frame, boasting superior environmental performance and faster installation. The primary school is currently undergoing cladding with an insulating layer, while the CLT frame is visible on the main secondary school building.
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The 420-place primary school will be managed by the Castle School Education Trust (CSET), while the 900-place 11-16 secondary school will be overseen by the Olympus Academy Trust. With a total cost of £58.3 million, funding includes nearly £24 million from South Gloucestershire Council and over £34.3 million from the Department of Education under the Free Schools Programme.
Councillor Ian Boulton, South Gloucestershire Council co-leader and cabinet member responsible for schools, expressed gratitude towards the dedicated staff and stakeholders, emphasizing the significant progress achieved under the current administration. He looks forward to the schools opening in September 2026 to welcome new students.
Dermot Parkinson, Construction Manager at BAM, highlighted the sustainable construction methods utilized to limit the building’s environmental impact and reduce energy costs. The focus on sustainability aims to allocate more resources to education, resulting in a high-quality learning environment designed to support students for years to come.