A Nottinghamshire school could be expanded in an ‘essential next step’ to increase its capacity. Planning documents have been submitted to Gedling Borough Council for The Carlton Academy, located in Coningswath Road, in Carlton, to receive the improvements. The Redhill Academy Trust secondary school and sixth form currently has capacity for 230 pupils in each age group but this could go up to 270 if the proposals get the green light. Besides a new teaching block, the school’s theatre could also be expanded with a range of internal and external improvements. Planning documents state: “The proposals aim to address the current shortcomings of the existing buildings by significantly enhancing the range and functionality of the school facilities for both pupils and staff. “These works are essential to support the school’s commitment to continuous improvement and to provide the very best facilities for both current and future pupils. “Both the school and the trust are committed to maintaining high standards of teaching, learning, and care. “These improvements will help the academy meet growing demand while continuing to provide a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for all.” The new three-storey teaching block would be built on the site of the disused squash courts and parking area behind Carlton Forum Leisure Centre. As part of the works, the temporary changing facilities will be removed, making space for 20 car parking spaces for the leisure centre, with additional parking also proposed next to the existing disabled bays. The new building will provide modern facilities for food technology, art, design & technology, and PE, alongside new changing rooms on the first floor. The squash court building has been vacant for the past five years due to its dilapidated condition, having been declared unsafe due to the presence of asbestos. Due to this, the building would be demolished under the plans, with the academy having a working relationship with the leisure centre. If approved by the council, the demolition works would start in autumn, with the external structure of the new teaching block scheduled to be completed in early 2027. Head of school Gary Hillyard said: “The proposed expansion of The Carlton Academy is an essential next step for the school. “The plans will not only allow us to have state of the art facilities for the Arts and STEM subjects, subjects we feel passionately about championing, but will also allow us to expand the number of students joining our school community as well as creating a central post-16 hub for our expanding sixth form. “We are really excited about the plans and the impact they will have on our students.” The extension to the theatre would create a new place for students to enjoy their meals and will feature tiered seating, with a boosted capacity of 270 people. This, along with the completion of the new teaching block, are planned to be fully ready for pupils and staff in spring 2028. The internal improvements detailed in the proposals include the reconfiguration of the humanities block, including the drama studio and music classroom, and the demolition of internal walls in the dining hall to improve circulation. These are targeted for completion for the summer of 2028 and will be carried out, where possible, during the school holidays to keep disruption to a minimum.