£5M expansion of Finham Park School reaches completion
Expansion works at Finham Park School in Coventry have now completed and were celebrated last week by an opening ceremony with members of Coventry City Council, the Finham Park Multi Academy Trust and project team in attendance.
The £5 million scheme is part of the Coventry City Council and Secondary Headteacher Partnership’s agreement to ensure sufficient school places. The scheme focuses on increasing the number of student places and facilities offered, with an additional 180 students now accommodated for through the expansion programme and new facilities.
Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “I’m delighted to see work on this excellent project come to its completion and I’m sure the pupils and staff at Finham Park are very excited to enjoy these new facilities.
“It’s fantastic to see such great transformations that will no doubt create a much-improved environment to learn in. I want to thank all of those involved for working so well together to fulfil these important new changes and make a wonderful new environment for all of those in the school community.”
A new 1450sqm, two-storey performing arts block offering state-of-the-art facilities for pupils was included in the works. The block is made up of two music classrooms and three practice rooms, a music production suite, and a dance and drama studio.
Five additional general teaching rooms were also added in the build which have been flexibly designed for dual use as an exam space.
Mr Chris Bishop, Headteacher of Finham Park School, said: “The Trust are delighted to have worked in collaboration with Coventry City Council and Spellers to ensure a ‘world class’ learning facility is now available for students at Finham Park School. The building will be named ‘The Peter Burns Performing Arts Centre’ in honour of Mr Peter Burns MBE who has served the school and Trust as a governor for over 35 years in various capacities.
“Our students are already benefitting greatly from this fabulous, purpose-built performing arts facility with students now using the music recording studios, practice rooms, cafeteria, first floor outdoor terrace and drama and dance studio to great effect. With a large, flexible use exam venue contained within it, it will be possible to use the building as a high-quality training venue for staff and colleagues across The Trust and city with uninterrupted views from Kings Hill to Kenilworth.”
The new block will also provide dining space for up to 180 pupils, a state-of the art kitchen and a careers hub. Offices and spaces for group work are also located here.
Completed by Midlands-based contractor Speller Metcalfe, the school has also increased sports provision with an additional football pitch, a relocated cricket square and new cricket nets.
Rob Lashford, Divisional Director at Speller Metcalfe said “As a local contractor, it’s been fulfilling to work alongside Coventry City Council and Finham Park School on this project, providing state-of-the-art amenities for a broader curriculum. Demand for increased facilities to cater for rising pupil numbers is something we’re seeing more of and it’s important that the expansions meet the needs of both our clients and the students.
“Education is one of our key sectors at Speller Metcalfe, and we always feel rewarded by completing projects which will have a positive impact on local communities and our future generation.”
This expansion scheme reflects the collaborative vision between the Multi Academy Trust, City Council and Department for Education to provide a vibrant Performing Arts education for students in Coventry.
The project was procured by Speller Metcalfe through the Pagabo Medium Works Framework.
