Interserve wins £30m contract to build new academy school in Leeds

The project is being undertaken as part of the third phase of developments in the Leeds Building Schools for the Future programme.

The Academy, sponsored by Edutrust Academies Charitable Trust, will provide 1,200 places for pupils aged 11-16 and 300 for those over 16.

It is being built on the site of the Intake High School Arts College in Bramley, to the west of the city.

Intake High School - renamed as Leeds West Academy in September 2009 - is currently operating in the existing facilities while the new

Academy, comprising a mix of two- and three-storey buildings is constructed within the school grounds.

The new facilities are scheduled to open in September 2011 after which the old buildings will be demolished and the area will be re-landscaped to create a high quality, drained sports pitch.

David Paterson, managing director of Interserve Project Services, said: "We are creating a facility with the capacity to transform the life-chances of children in west Leeds.

"The educational understanding arising from the close working partnership between Interserve, Leeds Council and E-ACT means that the

new Leeds West Academy, which is designed to help each child reach their

individual potential, will be at the heart of the local community."

Chris Edwards, chief executive of Education Leeds, said, "The new Leeds West Academy building will be another brilliant, 21st century learning environment where children and young people can achieve success and reach their full potential."

Annette Hall, principal of the Leeds West Academy, added: "This isn't just an investment in bricks and mortar, this is in the community and its young people.

"We believe that Leeds West will be a place which will inspire local young people for generations to come."