On Monday, 21 September, a signing ceremony was held to mark the impressive progress in the construction of the new Deneia Primary Academy in Waterbeach New Town.
The site visit, which included ceremonial signing of the lift shaft and speeches was an opportunity for local partners to see Kier Construction’s work on the build so far. The next phases of construction will focus on exterior walls, roofing works, windows and doors being installed, along with the start of internal works.
The County Council has been working with Urban&Civic, Waterbeach New Town’s master developer, and main contractor Kier Construction to deliver the school. Work commenced in April 2026 and is due to be completed in Summer 2027. The school is currently expected to open to its first cohort of children in September 2028.
The Deneia Primary Academy core buildings and classrooms will be able to accommodate up to 630 children and a 78-place nursery provision. There will also be two additional class bases to support the inclusion of children with special educational needs attending the school. This is in line with the Council’s Inclusion for All strategy that aims to ensure that all children are enabled to thrive in their local school.
Upon completion the building will be transferred to Anglian Learning allowing for the nursery to potentially open in response to local demand, ahead of the school’s opening.
The school design includes a bio solar green roof system which incorporates a multi-layer waterproofing protection. This roof will ensure requirements around site greening and Biodiversity Net Gain are met and supports the council’s ambitions related to decarbonisation and sustainability.
Deneia Primary Academy, and the nursery provision will be run by the Anglian Learning academy trust.
The lift shaft signing ceremony was led by Cllr Anna Bradnam, Cambridgeshire County Council’s local member for Waterbeach, alongside representatives from Kier Construction, Anglian Learning and Urban&Civic – who, as master developer for Waterbeach New Town, have funded the majority of the school.
Cllr Anna Bradnam, Cambridgeshire County Council’s local member for Waterbeach, said: “We want to give every child and young person in Cambridgeshire the best possible start in life, so it’s great to see the progress that’s been made on this exciting new school and early years provision that will provide education close to home for the current and future children and their families in this growing community.
“Alongside every other signatory of the lift shaft, I’m delighted to have become a small part of this new school’s history. I’m confident that the school’s future pupils will find a supportive community here, that has high aspirations for them – and empowers them to hold high aspirations for themselves.”
Rachael Johnston, Director of Primary Education at Anglian Learning, added: "We are thrilled to see Deneia Primary Academy taking shape. This new school will provide a rich, inclusive and ambitious education where every child can thrive, develop a love of learning and achieve their full potential. We are excited to work with families and the wider community to build a school that will make a lasting difference for generations to come."
Tom Martin, Regional Director for Kier Construction Eastern & Midlands, said: “We’re proud to be working alongside Cambridgeshire County Council, Anglian Learning and Urban&Civic to deliver a high-quality new school that will support the growing Waterbeach community for generations to come. It’s fantastic to see the progress being made on site, and this milestone reflects the dedication and collaboration of everyone involved in bringing this important project to life.”
Joe Dawson, Project Director for Urban&Civic said: ‘We know how important schools are to a new place for so many reasons: of course education, but they are also the place where new friendships are formed between families, and a hive of activity across the spaces and facilities they provide for residents, alongside the other amenities coming forward within the development. This is an important and joyful milestone and we look forward to seeing the school’s progress and opening.’
