A Stevenage secondary school dating back to 1558 has had major works carried out to preserve its historic buildings.

The Thomas Alleyne Academy secured government funding in April last year to replace leaking roofs and gutters in the original school buildings.

The first phase of the project began in July last year and is now nearing completion.

Headteacher Mark Lewis explained: "We are blessed with some beautiful historic buildings, but this comes with a challenge of paying for the upkeep of them.

"In recognition of the financial burden this places on schools like ours, the government does provide options for grant funding, and individual academies can apply each year for Capital Improvement Funding."

The Comet: The school secured government funding to pay for the work.The school secured government funding to pay for the work. (Image: The Thomas Alleyne Academy)

Mr Lewis said "swift progress" was made on the first phase of the project, which included repairing pitched roofs and the bell tower. 

Alongside the roofing work, essential fire safety improvements, including replacing fire doors, was also carried out.

Mr Lewis continued: "Work on the three roofs above Learning Support started in January, and we were at the mercy of the weather and the mock exam timetables.

"Nevertheless, things have been progressing to schedule and we can now see the final part of the build - the replacement of the cedar shingle. This facing will weather over time to fit in with the original look of the building. 

"We are pleased to confirm that the scaffolding will be gone in time for the exam season, and the contractor’s skips and compound removed shortly after that.

"The work has ensured that our oldest buildings are now watertight, and we can undertake some necessary redecoration during the summer holiday period."