West Sussex school breaks ground on new build, as work begins to bring everything on to one site

Headteacher Aidan Timmons and Brian Briggs, BAM Construction regional director and director of private clients, dug the first cuts into the ground, watched by invited guests.

Mr Timmons said: “It's been a long journey but now we're here, we couldn't be more delighted to be breaking ground. It's been a complex journey but now we're into the phase where, hopefully, we're in really safe hands.

“Our students are going to be so grateful when they can walk into the new facilities in a few years' time. It will stand the test of time as well. That's one thing that's really struck us from the start with the work that BAM put into the design.

“It's a sustainable school, which is really important. It brings a very complicated school across many sites on to one site, the Shooting Field site, to serve the community for hopefully the next 100 years.

“As a facility for the wider community, it will provide beyond the normal hours of the school day as well, which is something very important to us, because we want it to be a place that enhances the futures of people beyond their schooling years, right through.”

Mr Timmons said the school would monitor the noise levels to ensure the building work does not impact on the current students' learning.

He added: “That is critical in this design and, thankfully, we have a design that allows us to sustain the education as it is now and bring it forward into the future. We are really excited to see an amazing structure going up into our community to inspire all the minds of the future.”

Preliminary works began before the school summer holiday and planning permission was granted in August for the full rebuild of SGS on the Shooting Field campus, bringing all sites on to one.

Working was expected to 'move at a real pace' after the cooling off period in October and the breaking ground ceremony was held on Tuesday, November 3, to mark the official start of the development.

Brian Briggs, BAM Construction regional director and director of private clients, said: “It's a real pleasure to stand here as we break ground on what will become a vital new school for Steyning and the surrounding community. This moment represents more than just the start of a construction project, it marks the beginning of new opportunities, new futures and a place where young people will continue to grow, learn and thrive.

“For us, building a school is one of the most meaningful investments any community can make. We're not just putting up walls and classrooms, we're creating a space where ambition will be nurtured, where talent will be discovered and where the next generation will gain the skills and confidence to shape the world ahead of them.

“I look forward personally to watching this school rise from the ground and become a place where we can all be proud of.”

As well as the school, Steyning Grammar School Foundation, the Diocese of Chichester, Steyning Parish Council, Bohunt Education Trust, the Department of Education, project architects, supporting consultant teams and the Arcadis team, Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffiths, local partners, community members and the BAM Construction team were all thanked for supporting the project with dedication and collaboration.