A major upgrade to Millais School is underway with work on a new three-storey teaching block beginning this week.
The ground-breaking ceremony was held yesterday morning (Wednesday) with representatives from the school, building contractors Willmott Dixon, and the county council.
West Sussex County Council had provided the Horsham school with £14m from its school capital building programme. The school’s capacity will not increase.
Speaking at the ceremony, BJ Smith from Willmott Dixon said it was a great opportunity for his company to show the quality of building they could produce.
Headteacher Leon Nettley said: “It’s been a long time - 17 years as a head - trying to get the school new buildings, and I’m pleased that the county council have managed to find us the funding in difficult times.”
The new block is due to be open by October next year, with specialist facilities for art, music and technology, and new suites for maths and modern languages.
Jeremy Hunt, county council deputy cabinet member for children, said: “This is a very important day in the life of Millais School and we wish you good luck in the future.
“It’s an exciting development, a development that I’m sure all of the staff and pupils would say is long overdue.”
He added: “It’s not the buildings that actually make the school - it’s the teachers and its the students. Even without the buildings youmust be very proud of what you’ve achieved here.”