The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James, and Christian businessman Graham Dacre, have helped cut the first turf to mark the start of work on the £21m purpose-designed building on the former Heartsease High School site, now the Open Academy.

 

By September 2010, pupils will no longer use the old buildings but go to school in a purpose-designed space which has a three-storey auditorium surrounded by classrooms, or “learning zones”.

The bishop said: “One of the most important things about this wonderful academy is that it will be at the heart of the community it serves. The facilities will be available for everyone who lives in the area, bringing people together in an inspiring environment.”

Principal Lindsay Knight said the new building sent a message to students and their families that “they are worth investing in and deserve the best”.

 

Pupils at the Open Academy could be at their desks for longer, under plans to extend the school day by one hour and bring in a new curriculum.

Parents, pupils and the main feeder primary schools are being consulted on the idea put forward by the Academy.

It is hoped the extra hour, which may mean a marginally earlier start of 8.30am and a home time of 3.45pm, will help the academy bring in independent study periods and “an afternoon of enrichment activities” from September.

In a letter sent home to parents, principal Lindsay Knight said a final decision had yet to be made on any new start and finish times but the “main aim” was to lengthen the day by one hour.

“We want to bring in a new curriculum, including independent study periods, and have an afternoon of enrichment activities,” she said.