Staff from Diverse Academies Trust gathered with partners at the site of Thoresby Vale Primary Academy on Wednesday 9 October, at a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of work on the new school.
The ceremony, organised by site developer Harworth Group plc, was attended by representatives from Nottinghamshire County Council, Lungfish Architects and principal contractor, Stepnell.
Located in Edwinstowe, the new academy is situated on a former colliery site and forms part of the wider Thoresby Vale development, including a 350-acre country park, 800 new homes, and commercial space.
Aligned with its roots in the heart of historic Sherwood Forest, Thoresby Vale Primary Academy will offer forest-style learning combined with a strong academic curriculum for children aged five to eleven years.
The academy will house 210 primary pupils and is set to open its doors in September 2025.
Andrew Blackshaw, chief operating officer at Harworth Group, spoke at the ceremony and commented: “This project reflects our commitment to sustainable development and the value we place on creating environments where children can grow and learn. In Sherwood Forest, a place known for its rich natural history, this school is an ideal setting for students to gain a deeper connection to the outdoors while receiving a high-quality education. We’re thrilled to see the vision of this school come to life, in collaboration with our partners at Nottinghamshire County Council, the local planning authority, Newark and Sherwood District Council, and Edwinstowe Parish Council.”
Diverse Academies Trust chief executive officer, David Cotton, said: “We were delighted to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for Thoresby Vale Primary Academy. Our new school will provide a rich curriculum, combining academic rigour with learning steeped in a forest school philosophy. We can’t wait to open our doors to the first cohort of pupils in 2025.
“It was also wonderful to see the progress being made at the Thoresby Vale development – we’re excited to be involved in this very special and unique project in collaboration with Harworth Group plc and Nottinghamshire County Council.”
A community consultation on the new primary academy is currently underway and lasts until 8 November 2024. Local people wishing to take part in the consultation process can leave feedback on our consultation form.