Cotswold School expansion programme completes
The Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water has welcomed the completion of new facilities on site, increasing the school’s pupil intake by over 10%.
The most significant portion of works was the delivery of a brand new, two-storey English teaching block that houses 10 new classrooms for students, alongside associated facilities such as toilets, student areas and staff offices.
The building is highly sustainable, using a low carbon design that provides a 100% improvement on building control standards.
Construction firm Speller Metcalfe delivered the £5.8m scheme, which also incorporated an extension to the main sports hall to create additional changing areas, staff offices and gym facilities, as well as the conversion of two classrooms and a smaller extension to create new science labs.
Will Morgan, Headteacher at The Cotswold School, said: “The ambitious expansion of facilities at The Cotswold School has been a resounding success. Our English Department now occupies 10 spacious classrooms and additional flexible study areas, students learn in modern Science laboratories and the new gymnasium has extended the range of sport and wellbeing activities we offer.
“Thanks to the excellent design and delivery of these learning spaces, we can provide an outstanding education to more children in the local community.”
Funding for the scheme was allocated by Gloucestershire County Council to deliver a varied building programme that has expanded pupil numbers from 220 to 250 for the catchment area.
Cllr Philip Robinson, Cabinet member for Economy, Education and Skills at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “The expansion of The Cotswold School is part of our huge investment into schools across Gloucestershire, and will provide additional school places in the area.
“The new English building, expansion to the sports hall, and refurbishment of the science lab, will enhance the ‘Outstanding’ level of teaching the school provides.”
Andy Metcalfe, joint managing director at Speller Metcalfe, said: “All these elements brought together not only enables the school to provide for more pupils, but delivers a modern learning environment from which to do so, and we are delighted that the facilities are already being put to good use.”
Speller Metcalfe was selected for the project through their place on the Gloucestershire County Council Major Construction Works framework.