Ground-breaking ceremony as construction starts on new teaching block

Work has begun on a new teaching block at Fulbrook School to expand its facilities after the transition from a middle school to an extended secondary, as part of Central Bedfordshire Council’s Schools for the Future programme.

The school has just completed its first academic year after making the change and a new sports block is nearing completion.

A ground-breaking ceremony officially marked the start of the construction stage on a new two-storey teaching block, which is expected to be completed next year.

To mark the occasion, invited guests joined headteacher Sam Clancy, Fulbrook pupils Fin Leadbeater and Poppy Litchfield and representatives from the Council, constructors Spacemaker Development (SMD) Ltd, and Concertus Design & Property Consultants Ltd.

Cllr Hayley Whitaker, Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said: “We are delighted to break ground on this transformative project at Fulbrook School. The new teaching block represents the Council’s continued commitment to the Schools for the Future Programme and ensures that our pupils receive the best possible education in a supportive environment. This investment will help to inspire and empower young people to reach their full potential.”

Fulbrook School Headteacher, Sam Clancy said: “Now we are breaking ground for the new two-storey teaching block, as Fulbrook makes its transition to extended secondary, we are extremely excited about getting these fabulous facilities for our students and staff. We have been very impressed with the way in which SMD has worked alongside us on site and, as we take our first cohort of Year 10 students into the first year of their GCSE courses, we look forward to using our new sports hall and watching the new learning spaces taking shape. For some time, we have been saying, ‘The future is coming; come with us.’ It is getting ever closer now.”

SMD Contracts Manager Graham Rendall said: “SMD are proud to be part of a team, involved in one of the many education expansions projects within Central Bedfordshire Councils, ‘Schools for the Futures’ Programme. This is a commitment to delivering a Two Storey General and Science-based teaching facility that we hope will serve pupils, staff, and visitors of Fulbrook school for many years to come. This is one phase across the project and will follow on from the imminent completion of a New Sports Hall, improved parking, and landscaping as part of the overall scheme.”

Darren Fellowes, Associate Director from Concertus, said: “With the new sports block nearing completion, it is fantastic to see the works to further expand the schools’ teaching facilities start on site. Not only has it been exciting to design each phase and in particular the new two storey teaching block, but to have also developed a valued relationship with the main contractor SMD, Central Bedfordshire Council and the school themselves. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the school, client, and contractor on this exciting project.”