Academy build to start after fire

The school was badly damaged in the fire in September 2007

Work is due to start on a £27m academy to replace the fire-damaged Sidney Stringer School in Coventry.

Pupils were left using portable buildings after a fire damaged 40% of the site in 2007, affecting the gym, a sixth form centre and school theatre.

The new Sidney Stringer Academy, in Hillfields, is due to open in September 2011.

It will be run by Coventry City Council and private sponsors Jaguar and Coventry University.

The school specialises in maths and computing and has 1,150 pupils aged from 11 to 18.

The academy will include new classrooms, a library and sixth form centre for general and specialist teaching.