Client: Staffordshire County Council Location: Tamworth Value: £7.0m
Design & Build
Construction of a new one form entry primary and nursery school, delivered on behalf of Staffordshire County Council, in partnership with Entrust and procured through the Constructing West Midlands Framework.
The 1,700 square metre, two-storey school comprises nine classrooms, staff offices, a library and an indoor school hall with acoustic panelling and catering facilities.
Externally, the site comprises new pedestrian and vehicular ways, with landscaping works forming multiple outdoor play areas and an extensive playing field.
The school was designed using the Entrust ‘Touchstone’ model, which standardises design and specification to ensure build efficiencies, optimal learning environments and the capacity for future expansion. The energy efficient design ensures optimal daylight and natural ventilation alongside high levels of insulation – to contribute to the council’s commitment to Climate Change and the Net Zero Agenda.
Located within a new housing estate, with many homes still under construction, G F Tomlinson’s approach to engaging with and ensuring the safety of the community was of the upmost importance.
At the start of the project, a public consultation was held on-site with the Fierté Multi-Academy Trust to speak with residents and parent/guardians of potential future pupils about the construction plans and to answer any queries.
Regular liaison with the adjacent house builder ensured the effective co-ordination of site access and egress requirements, along with deliveries, which were scheduled to avoid peak times for the residents.
Works were planned to reduce risk of potential disruption for neighbours, for example G F Tomlinson used retarding admixtures to slow down concrete setting time, allowing the pour to be undertaken at the start of the working day rather than at an inappropriate time.
Regular newsletters kept residents informed of project progress and planned activities.
Site tours held for staff and pupils in the lead up to project completion, helped them become familiar with the building layout and its systems, with the opportunity to raise any queries.
G F Tomlinson made availability for the school to move in 3-weeks early, helping them to set-up ahead of completion, with the block paving outside the main entrance undertaken ahead of schedule to facilitate the school’s furniture deliveries.
The project achieved 100% waste recycling, with 125.46 tonnes of waste re-used on-site or sent for recycling. For example, the top soil on-site was treated with a mix of additives to achieve the BS standard for topsoil, which allowed for re-use to form the sports pitches.
The project was completed on time, ready for the new academic year. The facility helps to meet local demand for additional primary school and nursery places in the Tamworth area, with the school having the capacity to increase year on year to a total of 210 primary and 26 nursery places.
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to G F Tomlinson, your team have been so professional and helpful. The school is absolutely outstanding! The children have got the best facilities.” – Headteacher, Sonia Burke, Garden Village Primary Academy
