Rawlins Academy - Public Consultation Event

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Rawlins Academy has been selected as part of the Department for Education's national School Rebuilding Programme. The redevelopment will replace ageing school buildings with modern, sustainable and inclusive facilities, providing high-quality learning environments for current and future generations of students.

Kier Construction was appointed by the Department for Education in April 2026 to deliver the project as the main contractor under the constraints of the National Framework. The scheme is currently progressing through design development, alongside early pre-application public consultation and stakeholder engagement. A planning application is expected to be submitted later in 2026. Subject to planning approval and Department for Education sign-off, construction is anticipated to begin in 2027.

The redevelopment is being designed within the existing school boundary and will not increase pupil capacity. A phased construction approach is proposed to allow the school to remain operational throughout the works. The proposals include modern teaching spaces, improved accessibility, enhanced sports facilities and better sustainability performance, creating a school that is fit for the future while continuing to serve the local community.

Prior to submitting the formal planning application, the project team will: 

• Review consultation feedback
• Continue engagement with stakeholders and the local authority
• Complete technical assessments and surveys
• Refine the proposals and prepare the supporting documentation 

The application is expected to be submitted later in 2026.

Traffic, access and parking are important considerations in the redevelopment of Rawlins Academy. The project team is working with Leicestershire County Council Highways and specialist transport consultants to assess existing conditions, understand potential impacts and identify any appropriate mitigation measures through a detailed Transport Assessment that will be submitted as part of the planning application.

Access arrangements remain under review as part of the design process. Feedback from residents and stakeholders, including comments regarding access via Meynell Road and other routes, is being considered alongside technical assessments and ongoing engagement with the relevant authorities.

To help minimise disruption during construction, the proposals currently include a temporary construction access from Meynell Road. Construction vehicles are not expected to access the site via Sarson Street, Barrow Road or Loughborough Road.

The redevelopment will provide on-site parking, dedicated drop-off facilities, improved pedestrian connections, enhanced public rights of way through resurfacing and improved lighting, and secure cycle parking to encourage safe and sustainable travel to and from the site.

The redevelopment of Rawlins Academy is expected to take around three years to complete, subject to planning and Department for Education approvals.

The school is expected to remain operational throughout construction, with works delivered in phases. Initial enabling works would include the formation of a temporary access and haul road from Meynell Road, together with a temporary all-weather pitch and associated temporary facilities to support the school during construction. The new school building would then be constructed, followed by the removal of the existing buildings and completion of the permanent sports and external facilities. Secure hoarding, controlled access points and protected pedestrian routes would be used to separate construction activities from the day-to-day operation of the school.

The current proposals have been developed with the aim of avoiding the need for temporary classrooms.

A Construction Management Plan will be prepared as part of the planning process, setting out measures to manage potential impacts such as traffic, noise, dust and working hours. The project team will continue to work closely with the school and Trust to minimise disruption wherever reasonably practicable.

The redevelopment has been designed with continued community use in mind. The project team has worked closely with the school, the Trust and existing stakeholders to understand current use of the site's facilities and ensure appropriate provision is included within the proposals.

The aim is to provide modern sports and community facilities that serve both the school and the wider Quorn community. Existing users are expected to retain access to facilities during construction in line with current agreements, with temporary arrangements and sports provision considered where necessary to help minimise disruption.

Current proposals include replacement sports facilities, including a replacement all-weather pitch. Final specifications will be confirmed as design develops.

The new school will incorporate appropriate access, security and safeguarding measures to enable designated facilities to be used by community groups while maintaining a safe environment for pupils and staff. Detailed arrangements for community access will be developed by the school and Trust as the project progresses.

Sustainability is a core part of the redevelopment of Rawlins Academy. The new school is being designed as a modern, energy-efficient building that supports the Department for Education's sustainability objectives while providing a high-quality learning environment for future generations. Current proposals include energy-efficient design measures and low-carbon technologies such as solar panels, with other features including sustainable drainage and climate-resilient design being considered as the project develops.

Biodiversity enhancement is central to the scheme. The project team is working with ecological specialists to develop a Biodiversity Net Gain strategy that will deliver at least the statutory 10% increase in biodiversity required by legislation. Proposed measures include native tree planting, new hedgerows and habitat creation within the site wherever possible.

The proposals also include electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support lower-carbon travel.

All environmental works and mitigation measures will be informed by the necessary ecological, arboricultural and environmental surveys and will be delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, planning requirements and best practice. Further details will be confirmed as the design develops and through the planning process.

The redevelopment proposals have been designed to create a modern learning environment while responding sensitively to the surrounding area and heritage setting. The new school building will comprise a mix of two and three storeys, with heights stepped down from the centre of the site toward neighbouring properties to minimise impact on daylight and sunlight. 

This stepped design is informed by detailed daylight and sunlight studies. Landscaping and boundary treatments are being designed to complement the neighbouring properties and the surrounding Conservation Area character. A key feature of the scheme is the retention of the historic buildings along Loughborough Road and Church Lane, which contribute to the character of the Quorn Conservation Area. The Trust will retain and repurpose these buildings, ensuring they remain occupied and maintained as integral to the wider school and community setting. A Heritage Impact Assessment will support the planning application.

The existing nursery will continue to operate from the site.

Community engagement is an important part of the development of the proposals for Rawlins Academy. A public consultation event was held with the Department for Education, Embrace Multi Academy Trust, Rawlins Academy and Kier Construction in July 2026 to share the emerging proposals and gather feedback from residents, parents, staff and other stakeholders. We thank everyone who attended and submitted feedback, which is shaping the design of the scheme.

The project remains at the pre-application stage, and a formal planning application has not yet been submitted. Ongoing feedback from the community, alongside technical assessments and discussions with consultees, is informing the final proposals.

Once a planning application is submitted, Charnwood Borough Council, as the local planning authority, will undertake a formal statutory consultation process. This will provide an opportunity for residents and other interested parties to review the application. 

A Statement of Community Involvement will accompany the planning application, setting out the consultation undertaken, the key issues raised, technical assessments, surveys and how feedback has informed the proposals. Feedback can continue to be provided through the project team and consultation website as the proposals develop.