The Leadbitter Group has been awarded the £2.4 million contract to build an extension to Heavers Farm Primary School in Croydon.
Leadbitter is delivering the project on behalf of the London Borough of Croydon as part of a wider programme of work which was procured under the iESE (Improvement and Efficiency Social Enterprise) framework.
Leadbitter’s design and build contract involves extending the school hall and teaching block, creating a new hard play area and remodelling the school entrance, as part of plans to enable the school to provide facilities for three classes in each year group.
When complete in June 2013, the school building will have an extra six classrooms, group teaching rooms and break-out areas to extend the school from two-form entry to three-form entry, thus accommodating the increase in pupils from 420 to 630.
Designed by architect ADP, the steel-framed, traditionally-built extension to the single-storey 1980s building will feature a sedum roof and solar photovoltaics.
The extension is being built on the existing hard play area. The project will also involve some internal remodelling of the existing building to improve the layout of teaching spaces, the changing rooms and the staff room.
Cliff Thomas, Regional Director of Leadbitter’s Central Construction division, said: “Leadbitter has extensive experience of working on live school sites and will carefully manage work to minimise disruption to staff and pupils. There is growing demand for primary school places in Croydon, and this project will help meet that need, as part of the Borough Council’s ongoing education plans.”
As part of the iESE framework and Croydon Council’s schools programme, Leadbitter has committed to providing local apprenticeship and labour employment opportunities on this project.
