£26m rebuild Grace Academy school opens to pupils

It has cost £26 million and taken almost two years, and now a rebuilt school has opened to pupils.

moreA team of 250 workers has worked on the Grace Academy building in Darlaston, which has 60 classrooms. It can cater for 1,500 pupils, and its modern facilities have already proved a hit with pupils.

An official opening ceremony was taking place today, with Streetly songbird Connie Talbot, 'Blind Dave' Heeley and the mayor of Walsall, Councillor Mohammad Nazir, invited.

The new development in Herberts Park Road boasts state-of-the-art music and recording studios, specialist drama studios and a full-size competition basketball sports hall. There are also plans for three full-size grass football pitches and one all-weather artificial pitch.

The Grace Academy replaced the former Darlaston Community Science College in 2009 and rebuild plans were announced soon after.

Principal David Shaw said: "It is absolutely fantastic, it is like a breath of fresh air, with the amount of space we have got.

"The biggest thing it brings is aspiration. It shows Grace Academy can deliver its promises.

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"We can really show the students they are worth it, we believe in the value of our students."