Work will officially start on Swindon’s prestigious new state-of-the-art £25 million academy on Thursday May 1st when contractors cut the first ceremonial sod.

Dignitaries will gather on the site in Beech Avenue, Swindon, for the ceremonial turf turning at Swindon Academy, Beech Avenue, from 1.15pm.

Once complete Swindon Academy will provide places for almost 1,700 pupils aged from 4 to 19 years.

Contractors Leadbitter have already started clearing the site, which has seen the former Pinehurst School and Pinehurst Community Centre and Sports Hall demolished and the site prepared for foundation work.

Under the project, which is sponsored by the United Learning Trust with financial backing and support from Honda and Sir Anthony Greener, a new nursery, primary and secondary school will be built.

As part of the new complex the school will include nine science laboratories, dedicated ICT suites, performing arts studios, a music suite and recording studio, a design technology suite and an art studio.

Sports facilities include a four court sports hall, a floodlit all-weather pitch and a games area for tennis, netball and basketball. Car parking spaces will be provided for 147 cars. It is anticipated that the works programme will be complete for the new academic year in September 2009.

Richard Nixon, Leadbitter Regional Director, said: "Swindon Academy is a visionary new education establishment which incorporates some of the best practices in building design."

"This project is a major investment in the local community and will provide a centre of educational excellence for generations to come."

Principal Jan Shadick added: "Today is a special day as we see construction work begin on our new academy building. Everyone has worked incredibly hard to ensure the design for the new building meets the needs of everyone in the academy and when complete it will be a showcase for education in Swindon."

"In our first year, the academy has already come a long way. Our new ethos means students are more engaged in their learning. Our links with the business community, especially Honda, are giving students the opportunity to work with professionals in real working environments. With the support of Marlborough College, we are seeing students apply to university. The new building with facilities to support all areas of the curriculum will accelerate this progress and allow us to drive improvement further."