The outgoing head teacher at Kenilworth School described last week's results day as the "end of an era" for the school's old sites.

Last Thursday (August 24) collected their GCSE results from the Leyes Lane school, the last time most pupils will ever set foot in the buildings.

From next week pupils will be taught from the new multi-million-pound school which has been built on Glasshouse Lane.

Having already said he was "delighted" with the "very strong" results last week, outgoing head teacher Haydon Abbott said: "The results of year 11 students mark the end of the current era on the Leyes Lane site and these students will have a different, but no less enriching, post 16 experience at our new school on Glasshouse Lane.

"All students and staff should be congratulated on this exam success."

Mr Abbott congratulates pupils on their results (image via Kenilworth School)

Mr Abbott will now focus on his role as CEO of Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust (KMAT), with Darren Nicholas replacing him as the head teacher of Kenilworth School.

Speaking to Nub News last month, Mr Nicholas said his current focus is on making sure the transition to the new building is as smooth as possible for both staff and students.

"To have a facility like this puts the school at a huge advantage," he explained. 

"I haven't seen another school in the UK which has the facilities that Kenilworth students will have. 

"While it is important to have the exceptional teachers we do, the environment adds a lot of course. 

"I am aware it has been over a 10-year process and I have jumped in at the last minute, so I haven't had any major impact, but I can really help with the logistics and getting that transition as smooth as possible for both staff and students."

The new Kenilworth School will open its doors to pupils next week (image via Glancy Nicholls Architects)

KMAT was given the keys to the new Glasshouse Lane site in July after contractor Morgan Sindall finished on site.

Since then, the school has been preparing for the move to the single site.

Mr Abbott described the milestone as a "fantastic achievement".

"It is with great pleasure and delight that I can announce that we have achieved practical completion on the new school project," he said in a letter to parents.

"I received the keys to the building from the contractor on Wednesday 19 July 2023.

"This is a fantastic achievement by the school and KMAT, which has been a journey spanning over nine years in the making.

"The school looks amazing, bright with lots of natural light and sustainable features throughout.

"There will be lots of activity in the new school over the coming weeks, as furniture, screens and computers arrive, and moving from the Leyes Lane and Rouncil Lane schools begins."

The existing Leyes Lane and Rouncil Lane sites will eventually be turned into houses.

Liberal Democrat councillors have raised concerns about the lack of decision on community use arrangements for the new school.

Local Lib Dems are asking what will happen to the many local community groups with rely on the school sites to meet - with the community use agreement for the new school still yet to be signed off by WDC.

A draft agreement was published in June but is yet to be signed off as discussions with KMAT continue.