Hampshire County Council

Education Buildings Advisory Group

30 June 2003 Draft

Executive Member - Education

17 July 2003

Amery Hill Secondary School, Alton

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

Amery Hill Secondary School is located at Amery Hill, Alton and serves the surrounding areas of Anstey, St Lawrence, The Butts and Wooteys, Bentworth, Chawton, Four Marks, Medstead and Selborne. There are currently 969 pupils on roll, however by September 2003 it is forecast that numbers will rise to 1,000. There are four temporary classrooms to the north of the site. In order to enable their removal and the provision of accommodation for the anticipated additional students, seven classrooms, associated ancillary accommodation and enhanced sporting facilities are required.

1.2

The total cost of the scheme is £2.6m excluding fees. An allocation of £1,144,000, excluding fees, has been made in the Education Committee's 2003/04 Capital Programme to provide an additional 261 basic need places together with NDS Modernisation funding of £225,000. The School is contributing £688,000 from the Eggar's Trust Fund and £242,000 from devolved capital. £300,000 from the P&R Repairs and Maintenance budget is also included.

1.3

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 proposed accommodation consists of an extension to the existing main building to form a new Modern Foreign Languages/Art block; an extension to the existing Drama block which will link the existing drama spaces and sports/performance hall together and enclose a new external drama space, including a small amphitheatre between these three buildings; an extension to the existing undersized Science laboratory; and finally, a new changing pavilion to the playing fields and proposed all-weather pitch.

2.2

Refurbishment works will include upgrading the music faculty to provide improvements to the existing accommodation and enhanced acoustics together with the modernisation of two food technology classrooms and an additional science laboratory to meet current standards.

2.3

2.4

Landscaping works to the northern and southern boundaries of the proposed synthetic turf pitch and the proposed car park to the northeast of the site include tree and shrub planting to form a green boundary to the adjacent residential areas.

A `language garden' will be formed between the main school block and the proposed Arts and Modern Foreign Languages building. This will be designed around existing trees and will include low-level shrub planting and paved areas. The `amphitheatre garden' outside the new drama block will similarly feature tree and shrub planting around paved areas

2.5

Landlord funded work associated with this scheme comprises replacement of an existing Ballard heating system and replacement of the existing fire detection and alarm system.

3.

Funding and Timing

3.1

Funding of £1,144,000 excluding fees, has been allocated in the Education Committee's 2003/04 Capital Programme (Basic Need accommodation) and Modernisation funding of £225,000. The school is contributing £930,000 and an allocation of £300,000 has been included in the P&R repairs and maintenance budget.

3.2

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

Conclusion

The proposed scheme will enable the provision of necessary additional classrooms to accommodate the forecast increase in pupils and will also facilitate the removal of four temporary classrooms from site. Approval is accordingly sought to the attached building design project appraisal.