Church of England Primary School Extension

Church of England Primary School Extension In London

Rapidly shifting demographics, with the burgeoning demand for school places, led to this Church of England primary school extension in London. This is a familiar twenty-first-century issue, and many schools are seeking instant planning for the likelihood of increased capacity. Something that we can help educational authorities across the country meet with carefully planned school extensions using prefabricated buildings.

Such a situation faced St Mark’s CE Primary School when the local education authority, in conjunction with the Diocesan Board for Schools and the governors, identified that additional Early Years school places were required in the locality to meet the needs of the pre-nursery age intake and the expanding child population.

Neville Brown, Building Surveyor and Project Manager for the scheme, chose modular construction, recognising the advantages of offsite construction techniques. A modular approach offered rapid build processes, minimising disruption to the school and community.

“One of the main criteria was to supply an energy-efficient building with a low carbon footprint. We were looking for a building with low running costs and recognised the reduced CO2 emissions when using off site construction methods due to factory methods of construction.”

Planning A School Extension In London

At the concept stage, MPH worked from initial client sketches to produce detailed layout drawings, elevations, and 3D models to assist the project Architect with the Planning application. The 3D design gave the school, pupils, and community a vision of the proposed facility.

“MPH Building Systems were appointed at the early stages of the contract and developed the employers’ requirements to complete the detailed design. I found them a very competent contractor at all levels in the process including customer care post-handover.”

The school aspired for children from 2 to 11 to be educated in a mainstream setting with the development of high-quality Early Years provision. Three modular classrooms were needed to accommodate the new Foundation Stage Unit. These would be the home for a nursery group, reception year class, associated teaching, support, administrative spaces, and new toilet facilities.

However, before this could be achieved, the site had to be surveyed and prepared, and the existing Mitford Centre had to be demolished. Building harmonious relationships with key internal and external stakeholders was vital, and MPH liaised with utility providers to oversee the decommissioning of existing services and specialist asbestos removal contractors.

A School Extension In London From Demolition To Completion

Following site demolition, MPH carried out detailed ground investigations and developed designs for foundations, drainage, and services in preparation for the delivery of the new prefabricated building. A landscaping package was also provided, including soft play, fencing, tarmac playgrounds, and a timber canopy for covered play areas.

A Turnkey School Extension In London

MPH was appointed in a complete turnkey design-and-build package, including demolition of the existing school building, with an extensive project brief:

• Full design package, including Planning drawings and 3D CAD models
• Forming temporary site access, including temporary crossovers by London Highways
• Erection of site perimeter fencing
• Co-ordinating utilities for gas and electric diversions and disconnections
• Tree-protection measures to the entire site, with supervised digs to protect roots
• Demolition of previous outmoded structures
• Design and installation of foundations plus drainage soakaways
• Full landscaping scheme plus external canopy installation
• Air source heat pumps with custom-made enclosures to complement elevations
• Full internal decoration scheme
• Bespoke vanity and base units installed in teaching spaces

The new-look school building provided pupils with a fresh, modern environment, which studies have proved conducive to enhanced learning outcomes. It once again proved that MPH is top of the class in the education sector!