The DfE today confirmed the appointment of contractors Bowmer and Kirkland to deliver the Outwood Academy Riverside building, with the school set to open in Spring 2027.
The school’s permanent three-storey home will be built close to Middlesbrough College and the Old Town Hall, in the shadows of the Transporter Bridge.
Middlesbrough Council has worked closely with the DfE and the Outwood Grange Academies Trust to bring the matter to a conclusion after years of frustration following an initial announcement in 2018.
Students have been taught at different temporary sites in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland while various issues with the site have been unpicked.
Deputy Mayor Cllr Philippa Storey said she made resolving the delays her main priority when she took over as Executive member for Education.
“I am absolutely delighted that the work is starting,” she said.
“This has been a long road for parents, students, teachers and residents. It has taken the combined effort of Outwood, the DfE, Minister of State, Council officers, councillors, the MP and Litchfields to make this finally happen and I’d like to thank everyone one of them for their support and effort.
“No child should spend their whole school life in temporary accommodation and now, finally, we have work starting and a finish date outlined.”
Melissa Brant-Smith, Principal at Outwood Academy Riverside, said: “The school community has waited a long time for this project to begin.
“Our young people have continued to be positive and committed in their ‘temporary’ school on Russell Street and at Eston, however, it will be amazing to eventually be in a first-class facility, which they fully deserve”.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “I want to praise and thank everyone involved with Outwood Academy Riverside for the patience they have shown.
“They have displayed enormous resilience to overcome so many challenges. I will be relieved when the work starts this week and we can look forward to an exciting future for a school that has already done so much for the students it has served.”
In a statement, Central ward councillors Linda Lewis, Zafar Uddin and Lewis Young said: “Today is a great step forward for Outwood Riverside. We’re delighted that work is now starting on a permanent site, and that the long running saga of Outwood students being schooled across so-called 'temporary' sites is finally ending.
"This is good news for several reasons: it means students and staff will have a permanent place of learning and work after working from temporary conditions for so long. It's also great to see development in this part of the
"We look forward to seeing the school built and open to students."
Caroline Cannon, Interim Director of Education and Partnerships at the Council, said: “It is exciting to see that the work on the school is finally due to start this week. The resilience that our students have shown in their temporary school has been remarkable.”
Work is due to start on the school this Thursday [June 12].
