Scotholme Primary School

Our Appointment

Allan Joyce Architects were appointed by G F Tomlinson through the East Midlands Property Alliance Framework (EMPA) to develop the detailed design of an IT suite and Key Stage 2 extension for this Nottingham City Council primary school. Following planning approval, we worked closely with the council’s team and school to ensure a smooth handover and that all of their requirements were carried across into the next phase of the project. Our appointment was part of a collaborative approach to the project delivery, alongside the main contractor and a team of consultants, with an aim to reduce defects and maximise value for money.

The Design

The exterior appearance of the extensions were designed to match the existing CLASP school. We designed the new building fabric and services to meet the energy efficiency standards within the relevant Building Regulations & Education Bulletin standards for schools, including high levels of sound insulation between rooms and acoustic absorbing surface finishes to provide a good teaching environment. We also worked with the school staff to make minor alterations to the entrance, to improve security, and the staff spaces to suit their specific requirements without impacting on the overall budget.

The Build

The development involved the provision of two new classrooms and an IT suite, together with the conversion of the former IT suite back to classroom use and the refurbishment of the staff areas to accommodate an increase in class numbers. All of the construction works had to be achieved whilst the school was in operation and on a highly constrained city centre site. Detailed discussions were held with the school and contractor to establish the school’s minimum operational requirements, to enable the contractor to programme the works accordingly.

Phase 2 

Following the successful completion of the classroom extensions, we were reappointed by Nottingham City Council to improve the external space and playground facilities. The school had always suffered from a lack of playground space and this had become an even greater issue following the classroom extensions. Working with the council it was agreed to demolish a derelict building on the corner of the school site to provide space for a new Multiple Use Games Area (MUGA), outdoor teaching area and improved landscaping. We worked with the same main contractor and team of consultants to deliver a cost effective scheme that met the school’s requirements.