Hampshire County Council

Education Buildings Advisory Group

29 September 2003

Executive Member - Education

16 October 2003

Brune Park Community School, Gosport

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

Brune Park Community School is a large secondary school (11-16 years) on the northern edge of the town of Gosport. There are currently 1,650 pupils on roll, although this number is likely to increase over the next five years to a maximum of 1,750. The route of the proposed Light Rapid Transport railway system runs southeast to northwest along the western school boundary.

1.2

This project will provide Dance Studio and dining room extensions which will increase school capacity to 1,750 places in line with the forecast number on roll. The School is intending to apply for Specialist College Status for Performing Arts and the provision of a Dance Studio will assist this application.

1.3

The overall cost of this scheme is £1.1m, excluding fees. An allocation of £849,000, excluding fees, has been made in the Education Committee's 2003/04 Capital Programme for the Dance Studio Project. Public Service Agreement funding of £172,000, excluding fees, and a school contribution £80,000, excluding fees, has been allocated for improvements in dining 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.

2.

Scope of the Works

2.1

The proposed works comprise the construction of a new 200m² dance hall to the north of the existing school hall, forming a courtyard area to be enclosed by a new boundary wall. The dance studio is designed to allow for Bleacher seating provision at a later date.

2.2

The scheme also provides a 100m² extension to the existing dining hall, the existing steps to the stage area will be remodelled to provide a ramped access to breakfast-bar style seating for students.

2.3

The new dance studio and dining room extension will be constructed of sand faced Fletton brick. The dance studio will have a copper covered roof to match the adjacent pitched roofs and the existing school.

2.4

Landscaping associated with this scheme includes the formation of a new courtyard area to be used as an enclosed external recreation area, improved accessibility to the school comprising dropped kerbs and ramps and some associated tree and shrub planting.

3.

Funding and Timing

3.1

An allocation of £849,000, excluding fees, has been made in the Education Committee's 2003/04 Capital Programme, Public Service Agreement funding of £172,000, excluding fees, and a School contribution of £80,000, excluding fees, has been confirmed.

3.2

Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that tenders will be invited during March 2004, work will commence on site during June 2004 and be completed during February 2005.

Conclusion

The proposals outlined in this appraisal will provide a dance studio and extended dining facility to meet the needs of the School. Approval is accordingly sought to the attached building design project appraisal.