The group joined Principal Martin Campbell, the Brooke Weston Partnership's Executive Principal Sir Peter Simpson and Project Manager Matt Isherwood for a tour of the site.

They had a look at the glass-fronted classrooms in each facility, the theatre which will accommodate 450 people and heard details of the facilities that will give a huge boost to students' learning, such as a green screen for filming in the drama studio.

Willmott Dixon's Operations Manager, Craig Reason, reported to the group that the project was on track ahead of its expected completion in June.

Plaster work is underway, footpaths are going down outside and landscape work has started as the final stages of the building work start coming together.

It was the first site visit for KSA's newly-instated Chair of Governors, Steve Barton (pictured right).

He said: "My first impression was that it's got great open spaces and a real communal feel to it. Areas like the drama studio, music rooms and theatre will allow staff and students to do so much more than in the existing building. It will expand the range of subjects that can be taught.

"Recent improvements in results, the Academy's standing in the community and the fact that we are now over-subscribed show that change is already happening; the new building will take it up to the next step."

Mr Barton was joined on the visit by fellow governors Melissa Warman, Liz Graham, Jo O'Neill, Marianne Harris-Bridge and Peter Tiktin.