New Build Progress
Here you'll find out more about the latest updates on our new build project.
We are pleased to report significant progress in the construction of our new state-of-the-art building, with foundations laid and structural frameworks rising from the ground, we are on track for the highly anticipated 2026 completion. We appreciate the continued support and enthusiasm from the entire community as we edge closer to unveiling this landmark facility at Islip Manor High School, poised to become a cornerstone of academic excellence and community engagement.
Groundbreaking Ceremony - July 2024
We celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday 18th July 2024, with a Groundbreaking Ceremony to commemorate the beginning of construction of their new state-of-the-art building. This symbolic event brought together select students, staff and Governors, The Mayor of Ealing - Councillor Yvonne Johnson, the Kier Construction team and the Department for Education to mark the start of an exciting new chapter for the school.
This major project will create an 11-19 school for 900 pupils (+ 200 in the Sixth Form) and includes:
- Approximately 8400m² of teaching and study areas, dining and assembly halls, and support spaces
- A new 30-place Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) funded by Ealing to support students with social communication and/or language difficulties including autism
- New and enhanced hard & soft landscaping and 3-court multi-games area
- An ultra-modern cinema.
The additional compelling news is that the school will be one of the first next generation Net Zero Carbon in Operation schools. The completion of the project is scheduled for the academic year 2025/26.
Headteacher, Marion Budd commented:
The ceremony is a key milestone following the completion of the demolition of our old building, which serves as the foundation for our new one, ensuring that students, families and staff, both past and new, remain a part of the school's ongoing journey.
The collaborative efforts of a fantastic team and all stakeholders have been instrumental in reaching this stage. The construction process will provide students with valuable insights into various careers in engineering and construction, offering them a unique learning experience about what it takes to build a new school. It is also a significant initiative within the local community, generating 15 T Level placements and involving small businesses in the borough as much as possible.
Mike Hulme, Chair of Governors expressed his enthusiasm, stating:
Our young people deserve a state-of-the-art school. I am fascinated and thrilled by this process and look forward to the end result.
The Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Yvonne Johnson, added:
It is a pleasure to hand over this plaque to mark this special day after years in the planning.
This new development promises to bring numerous benefits to the local community, enhancing educational opportunities and transforming the lives of the young people who are educated here. The school is excited to embark on this journey and looks forward to the positive impact the new building will have on current and future students.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Topping Out Ceremony - December 2024
As the year drew to a close, students and staff at the school joined partners from Kier Construction and the Department for Education (DfE) to celebrate a year of remarkable progress. The topping out ceremony, held on Monday 2nd December 2024, marked a key milestone in the construction of the school’s new state-of-the-art building, symbolising the transformation taking shape and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
The event took place during week 37 of the 113 week construction timeline, a third of the way into the project. In that time, the old building has been demolished, foundations laid, and the steel frame erected – an impressive achievement reflecting the meticulous planning and execution of the build.
A highlight of the ceremony was the signing of the final steel beam, a moment described by Headteacher Marion Budd as “emotional”. Reflecting on the years of planning, she thanked the DfE and Kier team and paid special tribute to Tony McKee, the school’s former new build project manager who returned for the occasion.
Once signed, attendees watched the final steel beam being carefully lifted and placed into position, indicating the completion of the structural framework. Ms Budd commented:
The names on this steel will be here for years to come, a lasting reminder of this moment for generations of students.
To commemorate the event, the Kier team presented a plaque crafted from a salvaged workbench from the old science block. John Bolton, Regional Director for Kier Construction commented:
This school’s new building is not just about speed, it’s about quality, sustainability and creating spaces that will inspire teaching and learning for years to come. It’s also a source of pride for the local community – we’re creating 16 apprenticeships and providing opportunities for 16 T Level students during the process.
With completion expected in the 2025/26 academic year, the new Islip Manor High School will feature 8,400m² of modern teaching spaces, a Specialist Resource Provision (SRP), an ultra-modern cinema and cutting-edge sustainability features.
Ms Budd summed up the event:
This day marks not just the progress of our building but the progress of our vision - a school that is innovative, inclusive and inspiring. We look forward to the many opportunities this space will provide for our students, staff and the wider community for generations to come.”
A Year 10 student also encapsulated the significance of the day saying:
We made history here today.
Topping Out Ceremony
