Official opening at new-look school

Shirebrook Academy and Stubbin Wood School are near completion and officially opens in April.

Developers took nearly two years to build the new £27m school, in Common Lane, which saw the 700-pupil academy co-locating with Stubbin Wood special school.

Derbyshire County Council leader Anne Western will perform the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, a month after she also officially opened the new Stubbin Wood facility on the same site.

Academy principal Julie Bloor said: “We are looking forward to showing Coun Western around and inviting her to perform the official opening.”

The move is one of only a handful of examples in the country where a mainstream school has co-located with a special school.

There are some shared facilities and the option for students to eat together, but the schools have separate entrances, classrooms and outdoor areas, while anyone who wants to pass from one school to the other has to use a swipe card.

Following the official opening, the school is holding a special winter wonderland event, starting at 11am.

Admission is free and attractions include stalls, music and a Santa’s grotto.