CONSTRUCTION work has started on a new building at Alcester Grammar School, which will allow the school to expand.

Currently Alcester Grammar has more than 400 students vying for 90 places in year seven every year, as well as a sixth form with more than 500 students.

The new Spencer building has allowed the school to accept 150 more year seven pupils this September, gradually growing the size of the student body over time.

The building will house five language classrooms two chemistry labs, and two food technology labs, and it adds to the schools other recent expansions which include a new multi-use sports area behind the sports hall.

Marcus Lewis from Baily Garner LLP Associates, designed the new building. He said: “It’s unusual for schools to get their staff so involved in the design, and Alcester’s pro-active consultation made this a very interesting project indeed.

“We have enjoyed helping them to get the very best out of their building, which will be a pleasure in which to teach and learn.”

Alcester Grammar has been revising its green travel policy to ensure the minimum disruption for local residents while the build goes ahead, and looking ahead to the school’s expansion.

Finance director Paul Kelly, said: “The team is keen that we use the experience to educate the students. We are looking at ways to make curricular links to their work.”

Greswolde Construction is handling the build. Managing director Malcolm Priest, added: “We are very used to working on live sites and students are always very interested in what we’re doing. Our teams are very happy to turn that into an educational advantage.

“This is a prestigious project that will deliver a development that will enhance the school’s facilities and environment, and we are happy to be on site.”