The expansion project at The Willink School involved constructing an eight-classroom, two-storey extension, extending the existing changing room facilities, installing new science laboratory facilities, and refurbishing other areas. The project was divided into seven individual phases to accommodate the school’s constraints and ensure staged completion.
Scope of work
Phase 1: Changing Room Extensions (Summer 2020):
- Constructed two new extensions to the existing boys’ and girls’ changing rooms during the summer break.
- Employed traditional brickwork and blockwork walls on foundations and replaced the existing roof joists with a Sarnafil felt flat roof system.
- Undertook electrical and mechanical modifications, plastered and tiled new walls, completed full redecoration, and installed new floor coverings and changing room benches.
- Externally, made good, affected areas, and installed new tarmac ramps. This phase was completed ahead of schedule, allowing students to use the facilities early in the Autumn term.
Phase 2: Two-Storey Eight Classroom Extension:
- Removed a significant amount of spoil to achieve necessary levels before constructing traditional strip and pad foundations.
- Erected a structural steel frame clad with face brickwork and cedar cladding.
- Installed single-ply membrane roof coverings with a concealed gutter system.
- Integrated precast wide-span beams and precast concrete stairs.
- Constructed internal secondary steel wall systems to create classrooms, storage, offices, a plant room, and WC facilities.
- Completed internal finishes, including suspended ceilings, carpet and vinyl floor coverings, full decoration, FD30 fire-rated doors, compartmentation, and a full-height glazed atrium.
- Fitted Smart system aluminium windows and doors with internal blackout blinds.
- Provided a full mechanical and electrical installation, including power, lighting, fire alarms, security systems, mechanical ventilation, air conditioning, and domestic plumbing services.
- Installed new electrical and water services through trenching systems 300 meters from the building site and a new surface water Geocelluar soakaway.
Phase 3: Classroom Refurbishments:
- Extensively refurbished classrooms in the Geography and Languages blocks.
- Created a new SEN centre within the former 6th Form space.
- Maintained the same high standards of finishes as the new eight-classroom building.
Phase 4: Science Laboratory Conversion:
- Converted existing classroom facilities into three individual science laboratories and a new reprographics area.
- Diamond saw cut the existing concrete floors to provide service routes for new electric and LPG gas services to individual desk areas.
- Installed suspended ceilings and vinyl floor coverings and fitted bespoke laboratory furniture to create three additional science classrooms.
External Works:
- Added eighteen new car parking spaces, a cycle park for over one hundred cycles, tree planting, raised planted beds, and grass seeding.
While some works were completed during school holidays, much of the project was executed in a fully occupied school with 1,200 pupils and staff, and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, the project was completed successfully, enhancing the school’s facilities, and providing a modern, functional learning environment for students and staff.