12 December 2025

Beacon Academy celebrates official opening of new school building

‘To get to where we are today has been nearly a decade in the making’

A message of hope, optimism and commitment was spread at the official opening of a £20-million school building in Cleethorpes. Chief Executive Officer of Wellspring Academy Trust Mark Wilson said Beacon Academy’s state-of-the-art home marked the beginning of a new era.

His comments were echoed by the school’s senior leaders during an opening ceremony in front of invited guests. Mr Wilson said the school had gone from being in the oldest building in the region to the newest. “The result is brilliant and marks a new era in the life of the school,” he said.

He also paid tribute to former head teacher Jason Thurley. “To get to where we are today has been nearly a decade in the making. I remember being here at 6.30am one dark morning nine years ago with Mr Thurley. At the time, it had lost the trust of the community and had 200 students on roll.

“Mr Thurley played a crucial role, and without him, the school would have closed and this would not have happened.” It was renamed Beacon Academy by its students and the community, reflecting hope and optimism.

“The reality is progress is not always linear and there have been challenges along the way. But to be in this building is amazing. I go all the way back to beginning when all we had to go on was hope, optimism and a commitment to this place and these people.

“What we see is a result of that and there is a relentless determination to build on what we have here. The hope, optimism and commitment are stronger than ever.”

Head student Halle Roberts spoke of her pride since the switch to the new building last month. She said: “The positivity surrounding the new school community has been undeniable.

“From the moment we stepped inside, there was just this immense feeling of pride and excitement and, for me personally, motivation. Motivation to seize the opportunities created by the modern classrooms, bright spaces and well-equipped facilities for sports, science and the arts.

“This environment has sent a powerful message; that our future is worth investing in and that every student here has the chance to achieve something remarkable. The building has also transformed the way we interact with one another. It has given us space to grow socially as well as academically, creating a mindset of cooperation and belonging.”

Executive Principal Dave Whitaker recalled the first day in the new school, designed to accommodate 750 students. “One student came up to me and said: ‘Sir, we have a real school.’

“I’ve always said that a school is not about the building, it is what we do in them and what children achieve. But looking at the old building and its out-dated facilities, I know what he meant.”

He thanked the Trust, Department for Education and contractors Tilbury Douglas but, most of all, he thanked his staff. “It’s a very difficult thing moving into a new school. But I’ve never known a more committed and resilient team of people.

“We have a bright future to look forward to. This is because of the people in the building and not just the building.”

Current Principal Steve Tighe said students and staff create a school’s culture. “However, this is a vibrant, exciting building which supports the culture and is a catalyst for everyone to be the best they possibly can,” he said. “Students and staff have the environment they deserve.”

It had been lovely for staff to see the “fantastic” reaction of students to the building and something he would not forgot. The audience was entertained by talented musicians before the speeches and then taken on tours by students.

One guest, David Johnson, tested a new rowing machine. “It’s a wonderful building,” he said. “I can’t get over the size of it. The corridors are endless and wide, yet colourful and brightly lit.

“I went to the original Beacon Hill School in 1960 after it opened in 1956. Every time I’ve driven past I’ve watched the new building go up. I think the result is brilliant.”

The next phase of the build project is to refurbish the block nearest Humberston Road to create a new humanities department. The old school buildings will be demolished to make way for car parking and children’s social areas.