ONE of the biggest school building projects in the country will soon be getting under way in Winterbourne, near Bristol.

Winterbourne International Academy is preparing for a £19.3 million redevelopment at a time when many other school revamps across England have been axed.

Work is likely to begin at the large secondary's site next summer and be completed by 2014-15.

Chief executive principal Rob Gibson said: "It is the second biggest Government allocation of education capital in the country. "

Education Secretary Michael Gove halted all school building after the General Election while he reviewed each individual scheme. Dr Gibson believes the decision last December to allow new buildings at Winterbourne and its sister academy in Yate to go ahead is a vote of confidence in The Ridings Federation, which runs both Winterbourne and Yate academies.

"It is quite an achievement against a demanding financial background." he said. "I am really pleased for the community. "

The rebuild at Winterbourne follows other recent developments, which include a sports hall, all-weather pitch and technology centre. Meanwhile, the £16 million Yate project, which was further advanced when the plug was temporarily pulled, is due to be completed next summer.

The new buildings will mark a further staging post in the continuing success of the federation, which was formed in 2009 to link the two former South Gloucestershire secondary schools.

This summer saw both academies exceed their GCSE targets. Eighty per cent of Winterbourne's 300 candidates gained five or more good passes including English and maths, a record for any South Gloucestershire school and one of the best performances in the area.

Yate, which in 2007 had only 18 per cent of students achieving five or more GCSEs including English and maths, topped 50 per cent.

The federation sixth form also saw excellent A-level and International Baccalaureate results.

Both academies were rated good in Ofsted monitoring visits during the last academic year and can expect full inspections this year.

A further development for the federation is the incorporation of the Woodlands Primary Phase into the Yate International Academy, creating the first all-through academy for children aged four to 19 in South Gloucestershire.

It means that the federation is now providing education for about 2,700 students. It sets the strategic direction and manages issues such as pay and human resources, leaving the individual principals and their staff free to concentrate on maintaining and raising standards.

"We try to make sure we have the right structures for the benefit of the children. We are in a solid and stable position," said Dr Gibson.