WORK will start this summer on a new £3.6-million, state-of- the-art teaching block for Healing School.
Paid for by the Government's Academies Capital Maintenance Fund, work will commence in July, with the new facilities due to be ready for pupils by September next year.
As reported, the Low Road school is one of the best performing in North East Lincolnshire and is already rated as outstanding by Ofsted inspectors.
And last September, the school was named in the top nine best state secondary schools in the country by the Guardian newspaper.
It is now hoped the new block – which will boast an additional 18 classrooms and a new library – will only serve to enhance the school's reputation – and expand the current roll of 871 to potentially more than 900.
Delighted principal Ann Addison said the news marked the end of a two-year battle to win the funds.
The start of the work will also prove particularly poignant for her, as it will coincide with her retirement after 11 successful years in charge.
She said: "It will mean fabulous facilities for our wonderful children and staff at Healing.
"They deserve the best and the 18 new classrooms, library and learning support centre will be exactly that.
"They will be state-of-the-art, equipped with the latest in technology. We have been two years trying to unlock the capital monies and the news it's going to happen is the realisation of a dream."
The new building will take shape in the heart of the current school, on the left hand side before the main entrance, parallel to the administration block.
Mrs Addison was aided in the fight for funds by her successor – and current vice-principal – Mark Knapton, who will take the reins in September, as reported.
She said: "It is terrific news for Mark, who led on the writing side of the bid, and others in the team who have been involved. It's his vision which will shape the new facilities with me stepping down in September.
"The investment is part of the Government's plan to expand successful schools and I could not be more pleased that we've been successful at last.
"It will enable more children to study here, which is great news for the area.
"It is also excellent news personally, as it means that I will be finishing at the school on a high.
"I've been here 11 years and, in that time, we have had major building projects in each of those years because we've been focused on improving the learning and teaching environment for our children and staff."
Mrs Addison also praised the governing body which had lobbied hard for the capital funds.
Its chairman, Tony Beach, added: "It will mark a major expansion of the school and the facilities it can offer," he said.
"It will mean we are able to continue to fulfil our vision of academic excellence in a first class teaching and learning environment. The children, staff and community richly deserve this."
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter