AN ACADEMY is to build a £3.5 million teaching block to help it cope with increasing student numbers.
Toot Hill School in Bingham is already oversubscribed by nearly 100 students.
And with more homes being built around the town in the coming years, bosses say it is vital more room is created.
The new block, which has been approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council, will have 22 classrooms and catering facilities.
Rob Whiteley, senior deputy head teacher, said: "This is a very important move for us.
"We are already over capacity, so this new building will have a big impact on life at the school. It is a very positive move."
The academy's capacity is currently 1,588. It has 1,670 on the roll, which is likely to increase in September.
The rise in pupil numbers is partly because more families from the Newark area are choosing to send their children there.
"We have a policy not to turn any student away," added Mr Whiteley.
The academy is currently deciding which contractor will build the block, with work set to start in the summer.
Students will move in there by September next year.
It will be built on a field alongside Bingham Leisure Centre, which backs on to the existing academy building.
It hasn't yet been decided what subject areas will move in there, but it won't be any that need specialist classrooms like the sciences.
The academy is receiving £3 million from the Academies Capital Maintenance Fund for the work, with the remaining £500,000 coming from the coffers of the Torch Academy Gateway Trust which runs it.
The fund is run by the Department for Education and academies looking for building work must apply for money.
Mr Whiteley said: "We will have 22 classrooms and a catering area.
"This is a very exciting time for us."
Barrie Thomas, chairman of the Torch Academy Gateway Trust said: "The new building is an exciting opportunity for Toot Hill School.
"With new state-of-the-art facilities, we can continue to offer outstanding education to our children for the future."
Alan Marshall, 68, who lives in Bingham, said the move will be good news for the town.
He said: "It is a good school and people in the area need to be able to send their kids there.
"This is the only way they can make sure that happens."
Bingham county councillor Martin Suthers said: "We are delighted with this news. It will be great for people in Bingham. It is a very good school."
