Hampshire County Council

Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel

20 May 2003

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

12 June 2003

Steep CE (C) Primary School, Petersfield

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

Steep C of E (Controlled) Primary School is located within the village of Steep, Petersfield. There are currently 105 pupils on roll. The main school building was constructed in 1875 of traditional load bearing brick and flint, with complementary traditional extensions added in 1959 and 1995.

1.2

The School does not have its own hall and library, which was highlighted in the Ofsted report of June 2001. Currently the School has use of a nearby hall at Bedales but this availability is likely to be withdrawn in the near future.

1.3

An allocation of £439,000, excluding fees, has been made in the Education Committee's 2003/04 Capital Programme under the New Deal for Schools (NDS) Modernisation/Suitability Funding. This will enable the construction of additional teaching accommodation.

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 at an estimated cost of £556,000, excluding fees.

2.

Scope of the Works

2.1

The works will comprise the construction of a new hall and library/ICT/group space with associated storage and a servery/dining furniture store directly linked to the kitchen. The existing toilets will be reorganised to achieve 6 no. child fittings and one staff fitting, separate to the existing accessible toilet which currently has dual use. An internal caretaker's store to replace that lost in demolition and new staffroom over the stores are also included within the scheme. The proposed hall meets the County Council's Infant School standards.

2.2

Landscaping works associated with this scheme include the formation of a gate through the eastern boundary to the village recreation field which is used by the School. A paved area will be formed between the recent extension and the proposed new hall. The car park will be resurfaced on completion of the works and existing planting reinforced as appropriate.

3.

Funding and Timing

3.1

Funding of £439,000, excluding fees, has been made available in the Education Committee's 2003/04 Capital Programme under the NDS Modernisation/Suitability funding. The School will also be contributing £117,000, excluding fees.

3.2

Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that tenders will be invited during June 2003 and work will commence on site during August 2003 and be completed during March 2004.

Recommendation

That the Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that the design project appraisal for Steep CE (C) Primary School be approved.