The new Kenilworth School and Sixth Form on Glasshouse Lane is ready to welcome students and new starters later this week.

At £45.6 million this is the largest new school build in England, funded from S106 developer contributions, £9 million funding from housing infrastructure fund and support from Warwick District Council.

A "relentless" fundraising campaign over the last 18 months has also provided enhancements such as the new learning resource centre to create the state-of-the-art school.

Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust (KMAT) said it is an "exciting time in the history of the school" as it provides a brand new site with enhanced IT and sports facilities for students.

The community will also benefit from "excellent" new facilities through a community lettings programme.

At an opening event for stakeholders on Friday (1 September), the CEO and chair of the trust welcomed various contributors and partners to thank them for their immense contribution to the delivery of the project over its 10-year journey from its initial concept and design to completion.

The CEO Hayden Abbott said: "This is a very significant occasion marking the achievements of everybody within the school and the community who have made a strong contribution to achieve this fabulous new school for our young people.

"It has been a noteworthy collaborative effort from the whole community and this is a landmark opportunity to offer a promising future for young people now, and in the years to come."

New headteacher Darren Nicholas with KMAT CEO Haydon Abbott (image via KMAT)

At a time when there is national concern regarding the condition of school building structures, KMAT said it is "fortunate in that the project has been forward thinking and those involved are experts in their field whether that is education, architectural design, construction, quantity surveying and project management".

The trustees and executive leadership have been "visionary" in their ambition to create a structure that works that is right for the community that gives back to others to ensure that Kenilworth continues to be an exceptional place in which to study and learn, or live.

Mr Abbott added: "This has been a significant investment enabling many to learn and develop their leadership skills.

"Students for example have been inspired through consultations and active participation to develop their advocacy to improve the facilities in the school and the infrastructure around the town.

"To give an example of this a student galvanised the student body and the local community to sign a petition to improve the infrastructure around Kenilworth School to provide safer cycling."

Commenting on the new school, Shirley Whiting, chair of KMAT (who was involved in the project from being a governor in 2012) said: "We are immensely proud to have delivered such an exciting project for Kenilworth.

"The new school is a testament to the hard work and determination of all those involved over the last ten years and secures a fantastic future-proof facility for the students of Kenilworth and the community."

As the students start back this week, new head teacher, Darren Nicholas said: "This is an exciting time for the school and I'm looking forward to working with families and the wider community to ensure that the school continues to thrive."