26 June 2019
To mark the completion of construction, Councillor Ray Gooding, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Skills has unveiled a MAN marine engine installed at the entrance to the new Paxman Academy in Colchester.
Barnes was awarded the £14 million contract to build the 900-space new school early in 2018. The academy, which will be run by The Sigma Trust, incorporates a three-storey building with 20 classrooms, a library, a suite of science laboratories, technology workshops, and a sports hall. Outside there is a new multi-use games area and grass sports pitches.
MAN Energy Solutions (formerly Paxman) has had a presence in Colchester for over 150 years. It donated the marine propulsion engine, to commemorate the company’s strong links to the town.
Councillor Gooding said: “I’m very pleased to mark another milestone in the journey toward a brand new sustainable secondary academy in Colchester.
“These buildings, designed to optimise all aspects of education, are now ready and everyone involved in this project can feel excitement building for the first intake of year 7 students to the Paxman Academy in September.”
Photo caption: Carol Anne Moffat – Headteacher Paxman Academy, Councillor Gooding and Mark Bailey, Director at Barnes Construction