Construction work progressing to extend Essex primary school

In an aim to double pupil capacity, construction work on extending Lawford Church of England Primary School is continuing apace.

Commissioned by Essex County Council, Barnes Construction started work in January to build a new two-storey classroom block which will enable pupil capacity at the school to be increased by a further 210 places to 420.

When construction is completed in the Summer, not only will there be an additional eight classrooms, a library, as well as several offices and specialist practical areas, but the school will also have a new outside Multi-Use Games Area. The school entrance will also be reconfigured to provide additional teaching space.

An Essex County Council spokesperson said: “Essex County Council is committed to delivering a capital works construction investment programme of £270m over the next year and this project is part of that programme. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy of Essex has been impacted. Essex County Council agreed its capital works construction investment programme before the Covid-19 restrictions began, yet despite spending £74.5m to support the community during the Covid-19 restrictions, Essex County Council remains committed to completing its spending programme in full.”

“This capital works programme will provide contracts for local firms and secure jobs for construction workers, which will keep Essex families solvent and provide a stimulus for an economic recovery.”

Mark Bailey, Director for Barnes Construction said: “We are delighted to once again be working with Essex County Council under its construction framework and we are pleased to be playing a part in providing much needed extra school places for the young people in Lawford.”

To reduce time on site and increase sustainability, the new classroom block is being built using modern methods of construction. The timber roof cassettes, SIPS (Structurally Insulated Panels System) and precast concrete floors and stairs will all be manufactured offsite before being delivered to site complete for erection over the coming months.

Concertus Design and Property Consultants have been appointed by Barnes as the architect, structural engineer, and M&E consultant for the scheme, and Pick Everard is the client’s project manager and quantity surveyor.