Lydiard House Transformation Underway for Sixth Form Centre
Historic Grade I listed building in Swindon to house 120 students and staff following £700,000 investment.
By Verity Coombes
••3 min read
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Generic image of a historic building undergoing renovation, with scaffolding and construction materials.
Historic Lydiard House in Swindon is undergoing a significant transformation to create high-quality teaching and learning spaces for approximately 120 sixth-form students and staff.
Work has commenced on the Grade I listed Palladian house, owned by Swindon Borough Council, following planning approval earlier this year for a £700,000 investment. The project aims to give the historic building a new lease of life.
Councillor Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, and Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, visited Lydiard House to observe the progress. They were accompanied by Year 11 students and staff from Lydiard Park Academy.
The visit provided students with a firsthand look at how their future learning environment is taking shape. Refurbishment works are primarily focused on the first-floor rooms, while the museum’s state room will continue to host events and exhibitions, ensuring Lydiard House remains a cherished heritage attraction.
This investment builds upon the existing relationship between Lydiard Park Academy, St Mary’s Church, Lydiard House Museum, and the Lydiard estate. It is expected to enhance the long-term sustainability of the House by increasing its usage, offering new learning and heritage opportunities, and generating income to support its future.
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"Having previously raised concerns about the impact on Lydiard House, I'm pleased the work that is underway is being managed sensitively to safeguard such an important heritage asset. Visiting the site and listening to staff and students from Lydiard Park Academy, their excitement about learning here next year really brought home the impact this project will have and provided reassurance that this unique historic environment will be appreciated and cared for. This investment demonstrates how we can adapt and provide a sustainable future for our historic buildings while preserving their character and ensuring they continue to benefit the community."
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"This project represents a significant investment in the future of young people in Swindon. Students will have the opportunity to learn in a truly unique environment that combines outstanding educational facilities with the rich history of one of our borough’s most iconic buildings. It was wonderful to visit the House with students and see first-hand how work is progressing. Their enthusiasm for the project shows just how special this opportunity is, and I know the new facilities will provide an inspiring environment in which they can learn, grow and achieve their potential."
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"We are delighted that students from The Park Academies Trust Sixth Form will have the opportunity to learn in such a unique setting. Complementing our existing Sixth Form provision at Lydiard Park Academy, the facilities at Lydiard House will provide an inspiring environment where young people can develop academically and socially. It is wonderful to see this historic building being used to support the education of future generations, creating opportunities for students while strengthening its role at the heart of the local community. We look forward to seeing it become a place of learning, aspiration and achievement for years to come."
Swindon Borough Council first purchased Lydiard House in 1943 with the intention of serving education, youth services, recreation, and community use. The new sixth form centre aims to continue this legacy, offering new opportunities for young people and securing the long-term future of a significant regional heritage asset.
