Students and staff at Lincroft Academy are enjoying a fresh new learning environment after a summer of refurbishment and renovations. Two corridors and ten classrooms at the academy, which is part of Meridian Trust, were refurbished with fresh carpets, modern decorations, and new whiteboards over the summer. New lights have been fitted in various areas throughout the building and the dated curtains in the hall have been replaced.
Additionally, five rooms, which were previously used for office spaces, have been transformed into warm and welcoming pastoral bases with better links to classrooms with new corridors. These bases will provide a hub of support for students and a home away from home for children who are new to the school. A dated and unused changing room has also been repurposed as a brand-new sensory room for students in the Academy’s Autism Spectrum Learning Provision. Time in a sensory room is proven to help autistic children improve their visual, auditory, and tactile processing, as well as their motor skills, by providing a sense of calm and comfort.
Andrew Hencken, Principal at Lincroft Academy, said: “At Lincroft, we aim to ensure that every child fulfils their potential and has the opportunity to excel, and a high-quality learning environment plays an important role in delivering this. We are thrilled with the hard work and efforts of our site team and contractors, who have transformed a variety of spaces in just six weeks this summer. We hope this investment and the new facilities will inspire our students and encourage further opportunities for them to flourish.”
Over £250,000 has been invested into the site’s refurbishment so far. The work was completed by the Lincroft Academy and Meridian Trust site teams and contractors, Mitchell and Hudson, and Peter Smiths Associates.
Richard Spencer, Executive Principal at Meridian Trust, said: “This investment has already had a significant impact for students and staff and there is so much more to come. Work to improve the site will continue through the next year, with a focus on improved site security through new fencing, upgraded play areas to provide additional social spaces, new administration spaces and a new Dining Hall and dance studio scheduled. While we seek a long-term solution to the Oak Block accommodation, this investment from Meridian Trust is making a substantial difference to the experience of our young people.”