Princess Beatrice officially opens £9million academy extension in Holbeach

beatriceRoyal visitor HRH Princess Beatrice of York has officially opened a new £9million facility at the University Academy Holbeach.

Princess Beatrice visited the academy to see the new building, which offers a modern learning environment for pupils and provides 3,500 sq m of additional teaching space.

The new building, which includes the Academy’s first purpose-built sports hall, specialist Design and Technology and Art facilities and 24 new classrooms, was commissioned to replace the site’s original 1950s-era buildings.

The new facilities were completed in November 2013 and they will now enable the academy, which has been oversubscribed since it opened, to offer an additional 20 student places per year.

During the visit, Her Royal Highness was invited on a tour of the building, unveiled a commemorative plaque and met staff and students. She also witnessed one of the academy’s Freshstart literacy lessons.

Speaking about the royal visit, Steve Baragwanath, Principal at University Academy Holbeach, said: “We are delighted that Princess Beatrice was able to join us here at the academy to celebrate the opening of our new building. We are extremely pleased with our new facilities, and it was an honour to take our royal visitor on a tour and highlight how they are benefitting our pupils and staff.”

more >

Royal Mail investigating after video of duck being run over circulates online

12 Jun 2026

Pinchbeck road to be closed for at least two more weeks as county council provide update

12 Jun 2026

Medical episode leads to emergency services in Spalding town centre

11 Jun 2026

Two arrested following raid on Spalding home

11 Jun 2026

Leading from the front for new fuel

10 Jun 2026

Family rev up for bike ride

10 Jun 2026