Keys handed over for brand new School of Science and Technology Maidstone

Keys to Valley Invicta Academies Trust’s (VIAT) brand new School of Science and Technology Maidstone (SST), were formally handed over today, Friday 22 May 2020, marking the end of the 18-month construction project, led by BAM, and a six-year plan for VIAT to build a new school.

The site will welcome 180 Year 7 students, as its founding cohort, in September, when it opens its doors for the first time.

The state-of-the-art building has 11 Science rooms, six Computer Studies suites, along with specialist Music, Drama and Design Technology provision.

VIAT’s Chief Operating Officer, Richard Hayden, said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to see this amazing new school complete. Many people have been involved in the planning, development and building process over the last five years, and the vision has always been to create something unique for the local community. I am confident that we have done exactly that. The school will be an incredible facility and resource, not only for the students, but also for staff and stakeholders, moving forward.”

Chief Executive of Valley Invicta Academies Trust (VIAT), Julie Derrick, said: “Today is the culmination of six years of dedicated and professional team work from across the Trust. This is a hugely exciting time for the Trust and we feel incredibly fortunate to have this fantastic extension to our main VIAT campus. I’m delighted that we will be welcoming our founding cohort of students this September and I have no doubt that our Headteacher, Van Beales, and her outstanding team, will do a fantastic job.”

The brand new school will welcome Helen Sharman OBE, the first British astronaut to go into space, in November, to host a formal opening of the building.

VIAT’s brand new Sports Hall, located between the new SST building and Valley Park School, is expected to be complete by early July and will provide modern sports facilities to be used by all the nine schools across the Trust. The facilities will also be available for hire by members of the local community.