Eco school extension handed over at Bedford Academy
Sector
Education
Delivery team
Pick Everard
Pick Everard worked with Ashe Construction and GSS Architecture to deliver a new £12m eco teaching block at one of Bedford's largest schools for Bedford Borough Council.
The 60-week project at Bedford Academy provides 16 additional classrooms, changing rooms, a dining area and community café to make room for 300 more pupils as part of the school’s phased growth to 1800 pupils by 2029.
GSS Architecture has designed the building to be highly efficient and Net Zero Carbon in Operation and it has become an exemplary project for Ashe with a number of pioneering initiatives taking place during the build.
Social Value Over 500 pupils have visited the site to encourage careers in construction
Innovative construction products Ashe’s first use of Passive Purple membrane to achieve greater airtightness
Diversity initiative Ashe called on subcontractors to send their female and black, Asian and ethnic minority workers to improve diversity, reflecting the local community and encouraging careers in construction
Waste reused and recycled Paint cans, and timber and flooring offcuts taken back for re-use saving a tonne of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and contributing to the circular economy
The building, which was fully funded by Bedford Borough Council, operates to high efficiency levels and U Values with minimal heat loss through the façade of the building. Ashe used a special product to coat the external walls, to provide the airtightness required for Net Zero Carbon in Operation standards.
Powered by photo voltaic panels installed on the roof, the building will use as much renewable energy as possible, and air source heat pumps generate the energy for heating.
To create a comfortable environment in classrooms, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery units have been installed in ceiling voids with the system designed to create the ideal environment for learning.
Alistair Wilkinson, project lead at GSS Architecture said: “This project is a game-changer for Bedford Academy and the wider community. We’re incredibly proud to have delivered a space that’s not only inspiring for students but truly opens its doors to everyone. From cutting-edge classrooms to a welcoming community café, every detail has been designed with flexibility, sustainability, and ambition in mind. It has been a real privilege to work with the design team but especially with the school itself and the team at Bedford Academy headed by Chris Deller. They have shown such enthusiasm and interest in the project from inception through to completion.
It’s a bold step forward for education and for Bedford.”
Sean Conneely, director of project management at Pick Everard said: “Working on Bedford Academy School has been a truly collaborative experience from start to finish. The school engaged at every stage of the project, offering valuable input and showing a real commitment to achieving the best outcome for their students.
“Our client, Bedford Borough Council, were highly supportive, ensuring clear communication and alignment of objectives throughout. Pick Everard led the project, delivered early, on budget and to an exceptional standard by working closely with Ashe Construction. The level of cooperation across the entire project team made it possible to overcome a number of challenges quickly and deliver a high-quality result that we can all be incredibly proud of.”
The school currently has 1350 pupils and has changed its admission policy to plan for growing numbers of students in the area so that all families living within the catchment area, have a sibling, or attend one of the named primary/feeder schools are given high priority.
Chris Deller, head teacher, at Bedford Academy commented: “We are so excited to be able to move into our new sustainable teaching block. As the school continues to grow in student numbers we will increasingly benefit from the fantastic spaces, each designed with the children’s best interests at heart.
“It’s been a wonderful experience seeing the new block take shape and seeing the whole school community being involved. It’s a building we can all be truly proud of.”
Commenting on the success of the project, Cllr Jane Walker, Portfolio Holder for Valuing Families: Children’s Services, said: "This new teaching block is a fantastic investment in the future of young people in Bedford Borough. Not only does it provide high-quality classrooms and facilities to support the school’s growth, but it has been delivered to the highest sustainability standards.
“I’m delighted that the project has also created opportunities for pupils to learn about careers in construction and for the wider community to benefit from new spaces. This extension shows what can be achieved through strong partnership working and will make a real difference for generations of students to come."
Andrew Morris, Ashe’s business development director added: “We’re extremely proud of this project which has seen several ground-breaking initiatives take place showing that construction projects can be a force for good. Whether in terms of sustainability, diversity, innovation or community engagement, we have surpassed our targets at Bedford Academy, and we really look forward to seeing the children flourish in their new school building.”
The children will benefit from four new changing rooms which will accommodate 180 students, further enhancing the school’s sports provision, along with referee changing rooms. A silent study area and office spaces for staff have also been included along with 300 student lockers.
Externally, 20 new carparking spaces, disabled parking and four electric vehicle spaces have been created. The school will also add 77 new cycle spaces to encourage sustainable travel to school.
The project was procured under the SCAPE Regional Construction framework.
