We are pleased that the six-storey extension project at Rochdale Sixth Form College is now well underway! This exciting development will enhance the learning environment for students and staff, providing new state-of-the-art facilities.
Rochdale Sixth Form College is a highly regarded educational institution, providing higher education to students in Rochdale and the surrounding areas and considered one of the best sixth form colleges in the country for student progress. The demand for additional space has increased significantly. The extension project has been designed to provide the additional capacity required to meet the evolving needs of students and the college’s curriculum and funding was secured by Lea Hough’s School Building Consultants under the post-16 capacity fund.
Key Features
The extension project at Rochdale Sixth Form College will include several key features that will greatly enhance the learning experience:
1. Expanded Learning Spaces: The extension will add 18 new classrooms/seminar rooms, and providing ample space for students to engage in interactive learning activities.
2. Enhanced Facilities: The project will include modern facilities such as expanded learning resource centre, and a number of smaller breakout study areas, and to support academic pursuits.
4. Green Spaces: The extension will include a small roof garden/landscaped terrace area that will promote relaxation, contemplation, and wellbeing.
5. Enhanced Accessibility: The extension will be designed to ensure continued accessibility for students with mobility issues, providing ramps, level access, elevator access, and accessible toilets.
Construction Progress
The extension project at Rochdale Sixth Form College is progressing smoothly, with construction having commenced. The following steps in the project have been completed:
- Piled foundations are completed, and associated ground beams/foundation cast.
- Steel frame has been erected, and pre-cast concrete staircases installed.
- Key preliminary/preparation works for services break-in/connections (electrical, fire alarm, comms systems, water/drainage connections etc.) back to the existing building scheduled for completion over the College holiday period to minimise disruption to the college.
Works are ongoing with the installation of the metal floor deck, with the pouring/casting of the concrete floor slabs programmed over the next few weeks.
On completion of the concrete floor slabs, works can progress on the external fabric to enclose the building and get this weather-tight. This includes:
- installation of SFS framework
- glazed curtain walling
- rainscreen cladding
- façade brickwork
- roof installation/and blue roof system to the fifth-floor roof terrace/garden
Lea Hough’s team has been project managing the works, ensuring that disruptions to the college’s operations are limited, and measures have been implemented to ensure the safety and security of students and staff during the construction phase.
The extension project at Rochdale Sixth Form College is a transformative development that will significantly enhance the learning environment and meet the evolving needs of students.
We look forward to sharing updates on the progress of the extension project in the coming months.
