The Wisbech Academy, part of Brooke Weston Trust, has reached an exciting milestone as construction begins on its temporary modular building. Designed to meet the immediate needs of students and staff, the facility will provide a high-quality learning environment while the permanent school building is under development. 

The project is being delivered by Portakabin, a leading provider of modular construction solutions known for its innovative approach to creating flexible and sustainable buildings.  

Located approximately 200 metres from the site of the future permanent school, the temporary building will remain in use until the permanent accommodation is completed. The modular buildings will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure students have access to high-quality educational resources, including IT suites with the latest technology, interactive whiteboards, laptops for student use, and modern classrooms designed for an optimal learning environment.  

Students will also continue to benefit from access to the nearby facilities at Thomas Clarkson Academy (also a member of Brooke Weston Trust), particularly its sports amenities, to ensure a well-rounded educational experience. Both schools are proud members of the Brooke Weston Trust, which is committed to delivering outstanding educational opportunities across its academies. 

Construction is proceeding swiftly, with Portakabin having been awarded the contract in February 2025. Groundworks began in March and are expected to continue through mid-April. The delivery and installation of the building are scheduled between the end of May and late July, followed by internal fit-out and final cleaning. The project is on schedule to deliver the new facility to The Wisbech Academy by the end of July 2025, ensuring a seamless transition for the start of the academic year. 

Enabling works are currently underway, with the team establishing the site perimeter and setting up welfare facilities. Key activities include widening sections of road to improve vehicle flow and removing trees and shrubs where necessary. Deliveries are carefully scheduled to avoid disruption on Weasenham Road and to local businesses and residents. Efforts are also being made to minimise environmental disruption during construction. Machinery operation is limited to weekdays between 8am and 6pm, with occasional weekend work carried out thoughtfully, to reduce the impact on neighbours. 

Duan Kapp, Contracts Manager at Portakabin, commented: "We are really proud to be delivering this innovative solution for The Wisbech Academy. Modular construction allows us to create high-quality educational spaces quickly while minimising disruption to the community." 

Richard Scott, Executive Principal of The Wisbech Campus (which encompasses both schools), said: "We are excited to begin construction on The Wisbech Academy's temporary building. This project will provide our students with a modern, well-equipped learning environment, ensuring they have access to the best educational resources while we continue to develop our permanent facilities.  

Our new main building, set to open in a couple of years, will accommodate 600 students and have a strong focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths education (STEM). We are committed to maintaining high standards of education and are grateful for the support of our community during this transition." 

Dr Rachel Lawrence-Byron, Associate Principal at The Wisbech Academy, added: "We are looking forward to seeing the building work start over the next few weeks. The temporary modular buildings will give us a high-quality environment for learning and will signal an exciting new chapter in the development of our school." 

As construction moves forward, The Wisbech Academy continues to grow, solidifying its position as a valuable asset that will provide outstanding educational opportunities for the Wisbech community for generations to come. 

For more information about The Wisbech Academy, including admissions details and upcoming events, please visit www.thewisbechacademy.org or contact enquiries@thewisbechacademy.org.