A Suffolk MP has said he is 'delighted' as the new government has confirmed works are estimated to start at a Sudbury secondary school next summer. 

James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, asked the Secretary of State for Education for an update on whether the government will continue the previous administration's plans and timetable for the delivery of a new school building at Ormiston Sudbury Academy. 

The school, in Tudor Road, was selected for funding in July 2022, when the Conservatives were in power, and last year it was revealed that the new building could be built by September 2025.

Ormiston Sudbury AcademyOrmiston Sudbury Academy (Image: Ormiston Academies Trust)

In response to a written question from Mr Cartlidge, Stephen Morgan, parliamentary under-secretary (Department for Education), confirmed the project is in the procurement stage and added that planning permission on track to be submitted by the end of the year.

Mr Morgan also confirmed works to the secondary school are estimated to start in summer 2025 with a planned handover around 2028. 

South Suffolk MP James CartlidgeSouth Suffolk MP James Cartlidge (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Cartlidge said: “I campaigned hard for Ormiston’s new school building as a top priority and helped to secure the backing of the previous government.

"I was therefore delighted to receive the news that the new government appear to be continuing with the project, and that the schedule should see an application for planning permission later this year.

"We’ve seen that the government are reviewing a number of capital spending projects approved by the last government, so it’s been a priority for me to keep pressing the case, and I will continue to engage with the Department for Education to push for the completion of the new school building.

"I believe that if Sudbury had two secondary schools with modern buildings it would boost the town and its prospects in a really powerful way," he added.