Hampshire County Council

Education Buildings Advisory Group

11 March 2003

Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel

26 March 2003

Executive Member - Education

27 March 2003

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

10 April 2003

Fernhill Secondary School, Farnborough

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

Fernhill Secondary School is a comprehensive school located within a residential area of Farnborough. Fernhill Primary School is located on the same site, to the west. The main two-storey school building was constructed in the 1950's. The two blocks nearest to the proposed sports hall are a two-storey 1960's system built science block and a 1970's single-storey red brick maths block. There are currently 781 pupils on role. The school does not have a Sports Hall; one of only half a dozen in the County.

1.2

At the 17 April 2002 meeting of the Executive Member, Education, it was reported that provisional New Opportunities Funding (NOF) of £6,634,000 has been allocated to Hampshire in order to bring about a step change in the provision of sporting facilities for young people and the community generally. The proposal is to provide a new Sports Hall at Fernhill Community School and accordingly a bid of £856,000 (excluding fees) was made.

1.3

Further funding will come from the Education Committee's 2003/04 Minor Works Capital Programme, along with a contribution from the school.

1.4

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed additional accommodation and 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

The work will comprise the construction of a single-storey curved roof Sports Hall to the south of the existing playing field. The building will provide a four-badminton court sized hall (18 x 33m), appropriate storage and changing facilities to accommodate two classes of 30 pupils.

2.2

The main entrance to the school will be reconfigured to provide an improved orientation and a more welcoming aspect to the campus. Three additional car parking spaces will be provided within the existing car park.

2.3

Works to upgrade the connecting pathways between the main school and the Sports Hall will be incorporated into the scheme. The tarmacadam area adjacent to the science block will be expanded into a larger hard paved area to form a courtyard/extended play area, with additional planting. A hard paved south-facing courtyard area with limited planting is provided in front of the changing block and hall.

3.

Procurement

3.1

At the 16 October 2002 meeting of the Executive Member, Policy & Resources, it was agreed to develop a strategy to implement a standard design solution in respect of the NOF Sports Halls. The strategy would use a two-stage tendering process with Best Value criteria used in making the initial contractor selection, to incorporate four NOF Sports Halls plus two Sports Halls outside of the NOF programme. Early involvement of a preferred contractor is desirable in terms of developing this strategy.

3.2

Accordingly, Brazier are presently working with the Director, Property, Business and Regulatory, to develop and tender the project as the pilot scheme for the NOF portfolio.

4.

Funding and Timing

4.1

Subject to a satisfactory outcome of the NOF bid, which it is hoped will be formally approved during April 2003, funding of £856,000, excluding fees, will be available for these proposals. In addition, funding from the Education Committee's 2003/04 Minor Works Capital Programme of £177,000, excluding fees, has been made available, along with a contribution of £47,000, excluding fees, from the school. This provides funding of £1,080,000, excluding fees, for these proposals.

4.2

Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that work will commence on site during May/June 2003 and be completed during December/January 2004.

Conclusion

The proposed scheme will provide a Sports Hall and ancillary accommodation at Fernhill Secondary School. Approval is accordingly sought to the attached building design project appraisal.