King's Academy Bay House celebrates first term in temporary school block amid major redevelopment project

King’s Academy Bay House has celebrated 50 days in its state-of-the-art temporary school building while a major building redevelopment gets underway.

The project, which is being completed by Kier as part of the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme, will create two new school buildings, complete with science laboratories, art studios and music rooms.

The school’s Grade II listed 187-year-old namesake, Bay House, complete with its historic gate house and front wall will remain, where it will be expertly restored to ensure it will remain in use for years to come.

Designed to be net carbon zero, the school will benefit from air source heat pumps, solar panels and passive ventilation.

As a result of the project, temporary classrooms have been established and to celebrate the first term of being occupied, the school had a special visit from King’s Group Academies CEO, Nick Cross.

He said: “This tour was a great chance to see what a fantastic environment these temporary facilities have brought to the whole school community here in Gosport.

“It is a clean, modern and spacious – an ideal place for students to learn whilst the new school building is being built.”

Bay House’s temporary school, currently houses more than 1,000 students across 34 classrooms.

Chris Willis, headteacher of King’s Academy Bay House, said: “When we moved in at the start of term, it didn’t take long for us to really feel at home in the temporary school. The space really works for us, giving us an easier environment to manage and operate.

“If this is how good our temporary facilities are, I cannot wait to see our new permanent school completed.

“The final product will combine the best modern classrooms with our historic listed buildings that we are so proud of. It will give our young people the best spaces to learn, socialise and gather as a community, helping us raise the aspirations of all of our students. It is a great investment for Gosport.”

Michael Beeching, project manager for Kier Construction Southern, said: “I live just ten minutes away from the school, so it is special to be part of a project that will have such a meaningful impact in my local community.

“Our experienced team are experts in working in live school settings, so we have been able to create an environment where school life can continue undisturbed whilst we work to transform the estate.”

More updates on the redevelopment to follow.