As part of Kingston’s Primary Capital Programme we are currently working on a combination of new build and refurbishment work to bring together a primary and middle school to become one institution. The build includes a new nursery, new and refurbished classrooms, changing facilities, kitchen areas and a link bridge. Working with the team we looked for opportunities to reuse and refurbish existing buildings rather than rebuild to both reduce cost and to reduce waste.

Construction completed in March 2011 for this 2 form entry pre school building within green belt land in Kent. The building provides a light touch onto the site and is fully demountable.

This project required several extension blocks to be constructed on the site of an existing operational school. The works needed to be phased around school activities to minimise disruption to the school while progressing works under a tight program. The interface details between the existing and proposed structures were key, where the proposed structures were laterally tied to the existing while maintaining a vertical movement joint. The proposed structure consisted of CFA piled foundations supporting RC ground beams and slabs, with heave protection on a London Clay site. A hot-rolled steel frame was constructed over this with structural metal decks and steel purlins, to maximise works done by the steel subcontractor and minimise the program.

Furness School is a special school catering for 80 secondary students in Hextable. It provides placements for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social development needs, as well as, children with autism. In 1955 the ‘Home’ became Kent’s Residential School for young children with learning difficulties. In the mid eighties it became a Residential School for secondary aged pupils with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (EBD). In 2004 the school was re-designated to cater for pupils with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD) and now offers 25 Residential and 60 Day placements. Kent County Council invested £4 million in the building of new classroom facilities, offices & a reception area. The new practical cookery teaching facility is attached to the west wing of the main school building. It houses four shared spaces for eight pupils plus an adjustable space for a disabled student. It also has a demonstration bench, a teaching area which can double as restaurant space and a storage / preparation room. Due to the specialist nature of this teaching facility, the design of the new build extension was developed in accordance with the following guides: BB81 Design and Technology Accommodation in Secondary Schools A Design Guide BB98 Briefi ng Framework for Secondary School Projects BB102 Designing for disabled children and children with special educational needs