Castle Manor Academy has launched a formal public consultation on plans to rebuild and expand its school premises in Haverhill, Suffolk, aiming to increase its capacity from 750 to 900 pupils. The proposed expansion is designed to address ongoing pressure on school facilities and provide specialist classrooms to support a wider curriculum.
The school, managed by the Unity Schools Partnership, currently faces space constraints with 757 pupils on roll. This situation stems from the closure of the former Park Road Middle School, when pupils transferred to Castle Manor Academy without a corresponding increase in school facilities. Since then, the school has operated near its capacity limit, creating operational challenges.
According to the school, the expansion project is informed by pupil forecasts from Suffolk County Council. These forecasts highlight a growing demand for school places, a trend further influenced by the ongoing Great Wilsey Park housing development, which is set to deliver 2,500 new homes in the area.
While the building project aims to accommodate future population growth, the school stated that the number of pupils admitted into Year 7 each year will remain unchanged at 150. The funding for these improvements is being provided through the sale of the former Parkway Middle School site on Park Road, which previously served as the head office for the school trust.
Members of the public can submit their feedback regarding the proposal until Thursday 30 April 2026. A final decision on the project will be confirmed to the Department for Education by 15 May 2026.
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