Bristol school benefits from multi-million pound investment
A multi-million-pound programme of upgrade and refurbishment works has now completed at Marlwood School in Filton.
The school is part of the Castle School Education Trust (CSET), which offers high quality education across the primary, secondary and sixth form key stages at seven South Gloucestershire schools.
Following a £5.2 million investment to remodel the main 4000sq m, two-storey teaching block, pupils are now benefitting from new specialist classrooms for art, science and design technology, as well as upgrades to student toilet areas.
The building has also been transformed externally with a completely new front-facing exterior, new windows and roofing upgrades. By transforming the classroom provision, the scheme has also enabled the school to close a series of inefficient and outdated buildings.
A joint investment by (CSET) and South Gloucestershire Council, the project is part of an overall £18.1million programme to improve facilities at both The Castle School and Marlwood School.
Will Roberts, chief executive of CSET, said: “We are delighted that the long-planned refurbishment of the main buildings at Marlwood has now been completed, representing the biggest investment in the school since it opened in 1972. The improvement in the learning environment is transformational for pupils and staff, and so this is a really exciting moment for the whole Marlwood community.”
Designed by Quattro Architects, the scheme was secured through the Procure Partnerships Framework and delivered on site by building contractor Speller Metcalfe, who are also undertaking another scheme on behalf of CSET – a £2 million refurbishment at The Castle School.
Matthew Bailey, divisional director for Speller Metcalfe, said: “It’s great to see that the improvement we have made to the school have already had a tangible impact on the students and staff, and we’re delighted that the success of the scheme has led onto an additional project on behalf of the Council and CSET.
“As well as providing the school with a fantastic facility, we’re so proud of the project team who have delivered a huge amount of social value throughout the construction programme.”
Social value highlights have included an incredible 425% improvement on the original target of local spend, from £480,000 to £2.52 million. This predominantly ensures that local trades, companies and suppliers are being used on the project to the benefit of Thornbury and the surrounding areas.
The team also achieved a score of 41/50 for their most recent Considerate Constructors Scheme visit, demonstrating their positive impact on the local community, environment and their workforce, which has included student walkabouts, participation in school events and presentations to students.
