Lancashire County Council
Great Wood Primary is a mainstream, community primary school for boys and girls aged 4 – 11, situated in the Morecambe conurbation.
Capital programme funding was awarded, via the Partnering Framework, to improve facilities by extending and remodelling the 1FE school to a 2FE to cater for an increasing intake of children and provide extra space for a new library along with computer and community rooms.
Work comprised a new block with six new classrooms, for the reception and key stage 1 classes and associated toilets, cloakrooms and storage space. The building was constructed in brick and block around a steel frame and finished with a low maintenance, standing seam, zinc roof over a 26 week period.
A link building was also constructed along with an early years’ outdoor classroom, significant new play areas and secure fencing installed around the reception areas. The existing building main school reception and hall were also modified and refurbished which created new staff, administration and reception areas.
With over 300 children aged between 4 to 11 attending the school, it was agreed to programme refurbishment works to seven existing classrooms, corridors and the construction of three new toilet blocks to be carried out during the summer holiday to prevent disruption to staff and pupils in these busy areas.
John Turner Construction worked closely with the School and Lancashire County Council following the originally appointed contractor going in to administration and a reduction in funding. We collaborated on updating the budget due to significant client variations as well as at post tender stage to value engineer the works to within budget.
One of the main challenges on this project was liaising with the end users to ensure their needs were catered for as the design did not always accommodate these. This was successfully achieved and ensured that the client and design team were satisfied with the overall result of the project.
Client: Lancashire County Council
“Turner’s took on the project and improved the site boundaries to protect the children and cracked on with the construction works to get the project finished to a particularly tight schedule. “They’ve done a really good job”, was heard many times this afternoon as adults appreciated the work that had taken place after many had been sceptical about it being ready, even for September. Everyone is really pleased with the extension and thank Turners for their commitment to turning out a quality build. Your Site Manager was instrumental to the success of the project. He kept me informed, he was patient and had a calm approach. I appreciated his focus on producing a high quality product.”
John Ross, Headteacher, Great Wood Primary School, Morecambe
Lancashire County Council
