Dover Christ Church Academy is set to receive £10.9 million for specialist teaching areas.

Work is to begin next month to build an extension housing science labs, hair and beauty, textiles and catering areas.

The academy will also have a bigger sports hall with a re-modelled dance and fitness suite and new changing rooms.

The existing central block will be retained and will be refurbished to provide a new main hall and dining area in the heart of the redesigned buildings. The contract to redevelop the academy has been awarded to Willmott Dixon Construction, and the new areas should be ready for use by April 2015.

Gary Cooke, county council cabinet member for corporate and democratic services, said: “This is great news for people in and around the Dover community.

“These fantastic facilities will enhance the career prospects for students for many generations to come."

It was formerly known as Archer's Court Maths and Computing College but changed to an academy in 2010.

Academy principal, Sam Williamson said: "The signing of the contract signals a crucial next step in the development of the academy and realising the vision set by the Academy Trust in 2009."

It is the final scheme of six in a Kent County Council initiative, supported by the Education Funding Agency.

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