Work on a multi-million-pound expansion at a Arlesey school has been completed.

The expansion of Etonbury Academy – which is set to cost £12.2 million – is under Central Bedfordshire Council’s New Schools Programme, which aims to meet current and future demand across the area over a five-year period.

The second phase of the project, on behalf Bedfordshire Schools Trust, was formally handed over by infrastructure and construction company Morgan Sindall on time and on budget.

Morgan Sindall managers handed over the keys to Etonbury Academy principal Alex Prior and Bedfordshire Schools Trust chief executive Trust Dr Alan Lee in a ceremony which was attended by students, the chair of governors, trustees and Councillor David Shelvey, who represents Arlesey on Central Bedfordshire Council.

Stotfold and Langford councillor Steve Dixon, who is responsible for education at Central Beds Council, said: “Our New School Places Scheme is about creating additional places in areas of demand like Arlesey, so that children can go to a good local school, on their doorstep.

“Like many parts of Central Bedfordshire, Arlesey is a popular place to live for families. That’s why we are creating more places at Etonbury Academy.

“I am pleased that the work was carried out so well, and I’m sure pupils and staff will look forward to using the new facilities.”

The latest development on the school site includes six new classrooms, an additional science laboratory, technology and engineering spaces and two new food technology rooms.

The new build is set to help provide additional capacity and an outstanding learning environment for what has become a very popular and oversubscribed school.

It follows the successful completion of a £6.8 million expansion at the school in 2016. Over the space of three years, the major programme has taken the school’s capacity from 400 to more than 1,100 school places.

Morgan Sindall area manager David Roswell said: “It’s always a great cause of celebration when we hand over a completed project and we’re thrilled to be celebrating the completion of this exciting expansion to Etonbury Academy.”