Our team recently paid a visit to Oakwood Primary School in Warrington to assess the works being undertaken on a large extension project. The project involves an extension to the school’s kitchen and dining hall – which previously housed an under-sized kitchen and inadequate dining facilities.
The school, which is part of One Community Trust, is one of the largest primary schools in the country.
The works to the kitchen and dining area began in April 2023, with Lea Hough’s education team project managing.
Prior to the works commencing, our team managed the entire design and specification process, including designing the extension / refurb, preparing all drawings, obtaining Planning Permission, getting Building Regs approval, specifying and tendering for contractors. Now we are acting as Contract Administrator as the works progress on site, as well as taking on the CDM Regs Principal Designer role.
As with many projects at schools, timing is critical. Due to the everyday use of the school’s kitchen and dining facilities by pupils, the works need to be completed by early September, in readiness for the new term. The extension part of the project needs to be completed in readiness for the summer holidays, as this is the only extended period of time when the kitchen can be taken out of action.
The safety of pupils and staff is also paramount, with the works having to be carefully planned out so as to have minimum impact and disruption on the learning environment.
It is great to see the works progressing so well, with contractor Rosslee Construction Limited having put the foundations in place and a large part of the shell of the new extension. The project is currently on schedule, with the next stage being curtain walling and flat roof coverings to enclose the new structure, followed later by new finishes, fit-out , and then later followed by a new kitchen install during the summer holidays.
Lea Hough’s education team work with schools, academies and colleges throughout the North West, assisting them in maintaining, developing and refurbishing their school buildings. For more information on any of the services offered by our education team, please get in touch.
