Hampshire County Council

Education Buildings Advisory Group

3 January 2003

Executive Member - Education

23 January 2003 Item

Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel

3 February 2003

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

13 February 2003

Henry Beaufort School, Winchester

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

Henry Beaufort School is a secondary school which currently has 1,032 pupils on roll between the ages of 11 and 16. The original school was constructed in 1970 and is of a SCOLA design. A sports hall and community block were constructed in 1976, an eight classroom teaching block in 1996 and most recently a new music, drama and art block which was completed in September 2002.

1.2

Following a successful bid to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) under the SEED Challenge Initiative, funding has been added to the Education Committee's 2002/03 capital programme to provide improved dining facilities and to extend the existing community facilities. Partnership funding used in the bid has come from the School, Winchester City Council, Littleton and Harestock Parish Council, Hampshire Caterers and the Policy and Resources Committee's 2002/03 landscaping budget. Further work to provide a new nursery facility within the existing community building will be included in this scheme with funding coming from the school and the Policy and Resources Committee's 2002/03 Capital Repairs budget.

1.3

The school has also been successful in applying for Specialist School Status in Technology following a further bid made to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). An allocation has been made from the DfES and it is proposed that this funding be used to create an IT Suite and to make improvements to the existing design technology accommodation.

1.4

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has combined all of these elements of work to make one large capital scheme and has progressed the design of the proposed new and refurbished accommodation. The purpose of this report is to outline the design proposals and seek approval to the attached design project appraisal.

2.

Scope of the Works

2.1

Work will be undertaken to four separate blocks of accommodation on the school site. The largest of these developments will be to the existing community building located to the south east corner of the site. Two extensions will be constructed to the east and west elevations of the community building with a new nursery occupying a dedicated unit attached to the eastern elevation comprising a large nursery space and a large store. Internal alterations to the existing building will enable the remainder of the nursery accommodation to include a kitchen, three sleep rooms, office / staff room, infant WCs and a changing area. The extension to the western elevation of the building will enlarge the existing community lounge. Further internal alterations will provide two music practice rooms, a meeting room and a servery from the community lounge to the kitchen.

2.2

A second extension will be constructed to extend the existing kitchen and provide a new dining room. The kitchen block located to the north east of the site will be extended on the northern elevation towards the hard play courts following the demolition of an existing lean-to building. The single storey extension will enable the existing kitchen to be reorganised and preparation areas and spaces for equipment to be included within the new kitchen. A new ceiling, lighting, flooring and an extract ventilation system will be fitted in the kitchen. The extension will also provide a new large dining area adjoining the kitchen which will have a servery / counter area for children to be served meals. A canopy will be erected to the eastern elevation of the dining room to enable pupils to eat outside.

2.3

Work will be undertaken to the vacant caretaker's bungalow to provide an ICT Suite. Internal walls will be removed to enable the existing lounge and two bedrooms to become an ICT room of some 42m² with appropriate benching and cabling. Other accommodation will include a laptop computer store, technicians office, new main entrance with reception / office. The existing kitchen will remain unaltered and the existing bathroom will be fitted with a new WC, wash hand basin and shower.

2.4

The final phase of work in this scheme will be to refurbish part of the existing CDT accommodation within the technology block located to the west of the site adjacent to the caretakers bungalow. The work will be undertaken to a design technology classroom, an adjoining material store and a staff room and will include redecoration, new ceilings, floor coverings, lighting, power outlets and computer data points.

2.5

Landscaping associated with this scheme will comprise the formation of two courtyard areas to the northern and southern elevations of the nursery accommodation. The courtyard to the north will be covered and will provide a location for the nursery's dedicated secure entrance. The courtyard to the south will provide an outside play area for the nursery. A raised timber deck will be constructed to the eastern elevation of the nursery which will also be used for play and for teaching during the warmer months. A small garden area will be established to the western elevation of the community building.

3.

Funding and Timing

3.1

Funding for these proposals has come from a number of sources as detailed below. All figures are exclusive of fees:

3.2

Capital Programme 02/03 - Seed Challenge Initiative 89,000

Capital Programme 02/03 - Specialist School Status 86,000

School - Devolved Capital and Private funding combined 133,000

P&R Committee's 02/03 - landscaping budget 26,000

P&R Committee's 02/03 - Capital Repairs 135,000 Winchester City Council/LHPC 71,000 Hampshire Caterers 30,000

TOTAL 570,000

3.3

The estimated cost of the project is up to £570,000 (exclusive of fees). It is intended to procure the project through a negotiated tender (see para 3.4) and once a firm price has been received a decision will be made on the scope of the project within the funding available. The exact nature and scope of the P&R contribution is not known with certainty until final decisions are taken on the exact nature of the replacement work to the mechanical and electrical services. The final school contribution will be determined when the tender is negotiated. There are a number of key dates within which funding should be spent, i.e. SEED funding by 31 August 2003. It is therefore important to overlap the design and development of the project to meet the necessary timescales.

3.4

It is proposed that these works are negotiated with the contractor, TSL Ltd, who has recently and successfully completed the new arts and drama building at the school. This project (arts and drama) was procured through competitive tender and TSL Ltd is currently working with the Council on a number of projects, including some which have been procured through negotiation.

Conclusion

The proposed scheme will provide a new nursery and enlarged community facilities, enlarged kitchen and new dining area, an ICT Suite and upgraded design technology classrooms. The community accommodation will create a much needed asset to both the local community and the school and the improved school facilities will provide a better teaching environment for pupils. Approval is accordingly sought to the attached building design project appraisal and to negotiate a contract with TSL Ltd for the project.