The practice of 'topping out' can be traced to the ancient Scandinavian religious rite of placing a tree atop a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits displaced in its construction.  A tree or leafy branch is placed on the topmost wood or iron beam and a toast is made.  At Manor Drive Academies, a hornbeam tree was used, and beer was poured over the tree by the Headteachers - Mrs J Sludds (Secondary) and Mrs R McCloskey (Primary) to celebrate reaching this significant building milestone.

Also joining us at the ceremony was Luke Steele (pictured) Former Manchester United and Barnsley professional footballer, who gave a speech to welcome the new school into his home town of Peterborough.