School Rebuilding Programme

Hewett Academy has moved one step closer to providing a state of art building for both existing pupils, as well as increasing capacity for even more from the community.

This comes as a key milestone was reached, as planning permission for the refurbishment of the school at Cecil Road in the south of the city was granted by Norwich City Council in late September.

The news that the project, part of the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) School Rebuilding Programme, can progress has been greeted with delight by the school and its community.

Antony Little, Principal at Hewett Academy, said:

"The new build for Hewett Academy will be one that matches the ambition and aspirations of our students. This state-of-the-art school will be a fitting place to learn for local students, and builds on the history and the heritage of the school. The iconic clocktower remains and there is a refurbishment of the Walter Roy Theatre, which will stand alongside the new buildings as a coming-together of the school’s rich history and its brilliant future.

Coming so soon after our good and outstanding Ofsted and record GCSE results, shows that Hewett is ‘the place to be’ right now.”

Simon Jones, a member of the academy committee and who has a step-son in Year 8, said:

“This investment is long overdue and is much deserved by the school. Hewett’s teachers are amazing, and this will provide them – and the students – a showcase building to be proud of. We can’t thank Hewett and the Inspiration Trust enough for helping to make this happen.”

The Norwich-city-based secondary school, Hewett Academy is celebrating today as it has been named as one of the 61 schools listed on the Department of Education’s School Rebuilding Programme. 

News that it is one of just four in Norfolk to be selected by the Government programme, which carries out rebuilding and refurbishment projects at school and sixth-form college buildings across England according to their condition has been greeted with delight by the school. 

Principal Antony Little says:

“This is an extremely exciting time for Hewett Academy, for both our current students and those who will join us in the future. It has been widely known that our school has needed capital investment from the Government for a long while and we are delighted to be listed in today’s announcement. As a school and a Trust we have worked really hard to be included on the School Rebuilding Programme to ensure our pupils continue to learn in the best possible environment and we look forward to the next steps of this project.”

Gareth Stevens CEO says:

“The community has known for a long while that the Hewett Academy has been long overdue capital investment from the Government to make sure the school building is fit for purpose and to create a physical environment in which our students can thrive. We are absolutely delighted to have been selected as one of 61 on the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme.”

Letters home to parents are linked below:

School Rebuilding Programme Letter July 2022

Public Consultation Event - Tuesday 12th December 2023

Hewett receives Planning Permission Letter Oct 2024

About Inspiration Trust:

Founded in 2012, Inspiration Trust is a growing multi-academy trust sponsoring 17 schools in the Norfolk area. We believe that every child deserves an excellent education, especially in disadvantaged areas. Our family of schools collaborate, support and innovate to give every child the best start in life and to enable professional development for staff. We’re proudly committed to improving the standards of education across the East of England, by delivering a knowledge-rich curriculum combined with cultural opportunities, sports, music and enrichment.