Brief
Concertus was commissioned to design and deliver a new Key Stage 2 (KS2) classroom block to enhance teaching facilities and address increasing space pressures within the school’s existing accommodation.
The new facility comprises two KS2 classrooms, a dance studio, a group room, unisex and accessible toilet provision, and supporting spaces, including a cleaner’s store, a plant room, and dedicated storage. The scheme was developed to provide high-quality, modern learning environments that support both academic and creative development.
Key Info
Location:
Buxton, Derbyshire
Client:
Derbyshire County Council
End User:
Harpur Hill Primary School
Project Value:
£1.72 million
Contract Type:
JCT SBC/Q Standard Building Contract with Quantities 2016
Contractor:
Stepnell
Imagery
Designer Behind the Design
“We are very proud to have worked alongside Derbyshire County Council in delivering this scheme for the benefit of the local community. A great deal of effort has been devoted to realising a building that meets the school’s educational needs whilst achieving a sustainable, energy-efficient design. We hope the scheme will have a positive contribution to the schools’ facilities and continue to do so for many years to come.”
Russell Short, Principal Architectural Designer, Concertus Design and Property Consultants Ltd
Scope
The new building was carefully designed to integrate with the existing school estate, which features a mixture of pitched and mono-pitch roof forms, ensuring continuity across the wider site.
Throughout the design process, our team facilitated a series of engagement meetings with the client and end user to ensure the proposed facilities would meet both current and future educational needs.
Funding for the project includes £10 million from the Department of Health and Social Care, with EEAST contributing £2.81 million. An additional £109,000 was secured from Great British Energy to support the installation of PV (Photovoltaic) panels.
In addition to the new build element, the project included the refurbishment works to an existing internal group room, external improvement works and the resurfacing of the Key Stage 1 (KS1) playground. These works were managed in phases and completed during the school term.
The built fabric was highly insulated, and the final scheme incorporated an energy-efficient Air Source Heat Pump system for heating, ventilation, and cooling, together with a roof-mounted Photovoltaic (PV) system.
Testimonial
“Working closely alongside Derbyshire County Council and Concertus, this council-led construction scheme has been developed with the core aim to enhance learning environments, spurring growth in local communities and supporting all children to aim high and achieve.”
Tom Sewell, Regional Director, Stepnell
Result
The official opening of the new facilities was marked by a performance from renowned West End choreographer Kristian Cunningham, alongside a Re:Bound Dance Club showcase, celebrating the creativity and hard work of the school’s pupils.
The completed scheme provides flexible, inclusive learning environments that support a wide range of teaching and extracurricular activities, helping to alleviate accommodation pressures and enhance the overall educational experience for pupils.
The building’s roofline responds sensitively to the surrounding architecture, enabling the new facilities to sit comfortably within the existing school setting while delivering a contemporary teaching environment.
Delivered through the collaborative efforts of the wider project team, the scheme represents a meaningful investment in Harpur Hill Primary School’s future, providing a modern learning environment that will support both students and staff for years to come.
“Thank you for doing a cracking job on this project. The facility created has added so much to the school. Everybody gives credit to the contractor, who was very good, but sometimes forgets the huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes before you ever get to that stage. So, a huge thanks to your team for all the hard work put into the project. Hopefully, when you visit the site, you feel a sense of achievement, and it puts a smile on your face.”
Mark Rushworth, Chair of Governors at Harpur Hill Primary School