West Oxfordshire school to benefit from £3 million investment
Pupils at Hanborough Manor School are to benefit from a £3 million programme of renovations and improvements.
Work has been commissioned following a number of new homes being built in the village of Long Hanborough in West Oxfordshire. Currently, the total pupil capacity for the school is 210. The project is set to expand this number to a maximum of 315 pupils, aged four to 11.
Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services, said: “I’m delighted to share these exciting plans for Hanborough Manor School, reflecting our commitment and determination to provide a top of the class learning and teaching environment for Oxfordshire’s children.”
The main contactor – Morgan Sindall Construction – has been appointed by Oxfordshire County Council through the Educating and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) framework, an £8 billion delivery vehicle governed by the Department of Education.
Designs by the architect, Collado Collins outline a 5,877 square foot single-storey building for Hanborough Manor School, which will house five general purpose classrooms.
There will also be improvement works to the main building, including extending and remodelling the kitchen. In addition, an existing classroom will be converted into library space and a one-to-one room to be used for separate individual or group study.
The brief also includes the installation of a new multi-use games area as well as a Sports England pitch for outdoor activities.
The extension’s new roofing will be constructed using structural insulated panels (SIPs) – a modern, timber-based construction material, which is thermally efficient and good value for money. An airtight SIP building uses less energy to heat and cool making it a green product, which also reduces construction waste.
In line with government restrictions in place for COVID-19, construction traffic will be completely segregated from the live school site, with additional access points created to facilitate this.
Construction is scheduled to complete in time for the next academic year in 2021.
James York, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “Our work to extend Hanborough Manor will help the school to meet demand for pupil places driven by an increase in population. The additional space will be bright, modern and sustainable due to the carbon conscious design and use of timber.
“We’re incredibly pleased to be working with the council on another key education project and look forward to delivering it safely and efficiently over the next 12 months.”
Other school projects recently completed in Oxfordshire include the opening of a new teaching block at Marcham Primary School, in Abingdon. This has included two classrooms, toilets, cloakrooms and storage space to accommodate an additional 70 pupils.
At Longworth Undenominational Primary School, also in Abingdon, a classroom extension has been built, interlinked with the existing school building. The new extension accommodates 30 pupils with two separate toilet areas.