Nuclear power plant team transform old school's outdoor space

A team from a nuclear power plant transformed their former school’s outdoor space.

The staff from Sizewell B power station, located in Leiston, put their green fingers to good use and revamped the garden at Alde Valley Academy.

This effort was part of a volunteering day aimed at community improvements.

Gavin Rousseau, plant manager at Sizewell B, who was a student in the 1980s, said: “Coming back to Alde Valley Academy feels like a full-circle moment.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to give back to the place that helped shape who we are today.”

Their hard work involved planting a wildflower garden, weeding the overgrown areas, and painting fences and garden benches.

Miles Berry, reactor systems engineer at Sizewell B, helped with the project. (Image: Supplied) This was a particularly special occasion for former pupils Kiera Alexander, who left in 2018, Dawn Staff, who left in 1993, and Jo Andrews, who left in 1992, as they reunited with their former PE teacher, Gill Mayhew.

Mr Rousseau added: “Usually this team is up at the power station overseeing how we continually pump out power.

“This was a great and rare opportunity for us to spend some time outdoors, getting our hands dirty but more importantly, giving something back to this community and this school which gave some of us so much.”

Gavin Hetherington, headteacher at Alde Valley Academy, said: “Alde Valley Academy was delighted to welcome volunteers from Sizewell B to transform our outdoor space into a peaceful new library garden.

“The project aims to provide students with a quiet, inviting area for reading and reflection.

“We are proud to work alongside local volunteers to create a lasting, positive space for all.”