Expansion of Suffolk high school creates an additional 150 places

The new expansion building at Bungay High School was officially handed over in January. The two-storey standalone block incorporates additional core facilities and includes four new classrooms, a staff area, and a new kitchen and dining facility. This investment into Bungay High School will help the school continue to provide their trusted ethos of “Opportunity, Aspiration and Excellence” to local students, welcoming an additional 150 pupils.

Chanel Oswick, Headteacher at the school, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the new building. The four IT classrooms and brand-new kitchen and dining room have been fitted with the latest technology that will further support the delivery of our curriculum and lunchtime provision at the school. The space is beautiful and as the school continues to grow, we cannot wait for our students to enjoy the new facilities available to them. It has been a positive experience for all involved throughout the project, starting from the initial vision over two years ago with East Anglian Schools Trust (EAST) CEO, Angelo Goduti and Suffolk County Council. The design by Concertus and build by Kier Construction, combined with my coordination, and support from the Senior Leadership Team, has resulted in a fantastic resource for our school community. The best part is the reaction when staff and students enter the building, a deep breath in and a big ‘wow’!”

The works at the school, managed by EAST, were partially funded by an approximate 15% project contribution from East Suffolk Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a charge that local authorities can access to help them deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in their area. Suffolk County Council funded the remaining balance.

James Reeder, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services said: “I have seen first-hand how excited the students and staff are with their new teaching areas and dining facility. Not only will it make a significant difference to existing pupils, but it will also accommodate 150 additional students and be a great asset to the school for many years to come.”

Cllr Tony Cooper, Chair of CIL Spending Working Group, said: “I’m very pleased to see the completion of work on this expansion project and, importantly, the provision of much needed additional school places for children in the local area. In 2021, Bungay High School was one of seven major projects across East Suffolk allocated more than £6 million in Community Infrastructure Levy, which helps to support essential improvements to schools, health services and community facilities”.

Natalie Finnigan, Associate Director at Concertus, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Kier, Suffolk County Council, and the team from Bungay High School to help deliver these fantastic new facilities. What could have been a challenging project due to the site logistics has shown what can be achieved when all parties work collaboratively together”.

Dennis Cotton, Regional Director at Kier Construction Eastern & Midlands, said: “We’re proud to have delivered the Bungay High School expansion for Suffolk County Council, which further builds on our extensive experience in creating education spaces. The first-class teaching facilities not only provide new learning spaces and allow for more students, but also leave a lasting legacy for the local community”.

With the increasing focus on carbon-neutral design and creating enhanced learning and social environments, the design teams at Concertus have worked with the main contractor Kier Construction, Suffolk County Council, and the school to ensure increased cycle spaces, planting and external social spaces were included to encourage cycling to school and improve the site’s biodiversity.

Existing rooms at the school have also been refurbished and extended, including the creation of an additional music practice room, hygiene room and refurbished student WC’s The main school office has also been extended in order to facilitate more staff.