This fast track project involved the extension and refurbishment of the current staff room building to become a state-of-the-art sixth form centre, whilst the former sixth form area was reconfigured and refurbished to become a staff area. The landmark project is the first time in the School’s 164 year history that Sixth Formers will have their own dedicated building.
The completed sixth form centre is contemporary, light and spacious and features a large independent learning area, spaces for both collaborative work and silent study, a sizeable common room as well as a café and a covered outdoor eating space. The school’s objective is to retain students from the lower school and attract new students to join the sixth form given increasing competition from other local colleges.
The former staff areas were cluttered, dark and outdated. Upon completion, the staff have a dedicated fit-for-purpose area, including work areas, breakout spaces and a mini-kitchen.
Programme was a key driver for the school, with a critical handover date prior to the start of the new school year in September. This lead to a condensed design period of weekly meetings and early interrogation of the phasing and key dates. An early package of works was developed to alleviate programme pressure, which included working with the school to arrange early decant from the former staff area to allow works to commence.
The school campus was fully operational for a significant period of the works. Consequently, the logistics and phasing was carefully planned with the school to ensure that works were fully segregated whilst not disrupting the flow of students between buildings. Daily meetings took place with the school estates manager to ensure full understanding of logistics. Major works, such as excavation and delivery of the steel for the sixth form extension were planning to be during school holidays or out of school hours.
