Students attended a topping-out ceremony at the site of Northumberland’s new ‘super school’ as the £50m project reached its latest milestone.

The traditional ceremony marked the completion of the highest point in the construction of the new Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School. Which will welcome over 1,200 students from September 2025.

Part of Northumberland County Council’s multi-million-pound investment in school facilities across the county, it aims to transform education for young people in Seaton Valley for generations to come.

BAM Construction is delivering the project, which will see the two schools rebuilt on a new shared campus with state-of-the-art learning and sports facilities including a fitness studio, swimming pool, and 3G pitch which will be available for use by the wider community.

Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, cabinet member for Inspiring Young People, said: “We’re almost six months into the project and there has been so much progress.

“We can now see where the individual classrooms are, where the swimming pool is, and the sports fields.

“We’re on schedule, we’re on time and it’s great to see everyone working so hard to get this project finished.”

He added: “We’re very proud that 93.3% of schools in Northumberland are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

“We’re investing in school facilities across the county so that our young people can have the very-best start possible.”

Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School students, Charlotte and Stephen, were invited on a tour of the site to report back to fellow students on the latest progress.

Charlotte said: “The new school build is getting along great and I can’t wait.

“I’m very excited for it to be finished as from the plans it looks very modern.

“I think the thing I am most excited about is the swimming pool.”

Stephen added: “The building is massive and it was good to see them working on the sports facilities.

“We heard how they will all be available for the community, too.”

Over 100 people are working on the 10,526sq m site on land next to The Avenue, Seaton Delaval.

Tony Fitzgerald, construction director at BAM, said: “An important driver for BAM is ensuring our projects positively impact the local community while we’re on site.

“We’re working closely with local schools to provide fantastic learning opportunities, centred in real-world construction and engineering.

“We’re also driving investment into the local economy by employing Northumberland-based subcontractors, procuring materials locally, and creating employment and apprenticeship opportunities on the project.”