Massive investment Unveiled in secondary education in Witham

The first major instalment of a massive £50million investment in secondary education in Witham has been officially opened at Maltings Academy in Spinks Lane on Tuesday 11 October by Schools Commissioner, Dr Elizabeth Sidwell CBE.

Maltings gained academy status in September 2008, together with neighbouring New Rickstones Academy in Conrad Road, Witham. They both received an early boost with the go ahead for brand new buildings on their existing sites, each valued in excess of over £25 million.

The new £26.5 million Maltings Academy accommodates 900 students aged 11 – 16 years and a further 200 in the sixth form. The scheme has been rated ‘very good’ environmentally under a Government scheme and features:-

• Heating through the use of biomass products, burning woodchips or wood pellets. No carbon fuels are used, such as coal or oil.
• A ventilation scheme specially designed to continually feed fresh air throughout the buildings without the use of mechanical equipment.
• The maximum use is made internally of natural daylight.

Another high priority in a learning environment ideal for the 21st century is the most up to date information technology. The £1.5 million IT package includes the widespread use of fully interactive whiteboards throughout the school. Another major feature includes a Sports Hall for the Academy’s exclusive use; until now the school has had to share a ‘joint use’ facility under an agreement with Braintree District Council.

From the very beginning of the planning of the project representatives from the local community and students at Maltings were fully engaged and consulted. In the Opening Ceremony students again played a key role with a 20 minute programme of song and dance in the Main Hall.

Maltings Academy is buzzing with excitement and a wealth of aspirations, initiatives and new, superb facilities ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Dr Sidwell is passionate about education for all students and this facility, which is state of the art, will contribute to improving the educational experience for all of our students both present and future.

—John Syznal Principal of Maltings Academy

From the moment they moved into this magnificent new building the students have been really excited about their excellent learning environment. It represents a huge investment in secondary education in Witham which will soon be matched by another superb new centre for learning at New Rickstones.

—Ian Foster Chairman of the Academies Enterprise Trust

Students moved in to the new buildings in September 2011. The scheme was completed on schedule and on budget. The New Rickstones building project is due to be completed early in 2012.