Construction has started on a £16million rebuild at Exmouth Community College – one of largest schools in UK.
Main construction has now commenced at the Devon site with BAM Construction appointed to create the new facilities. The work will see a large proportion of the Green Close rebuilt and includes a new three-storey teaching block which will house a large hall with 450 bleacher seats for performances.
There will also be a new library resources centre, activity studio, three new drama studios, six design technology rooms, five laboratories, a new ICT suite and 14 classrooms for RE, history and geography plus a new reception and first aid area, office spaces and changing rooms.
The total cost of the project is about £13.2 million , but it will be complemented by phase two of a new maths block, to provide a further eight classrooms at a cost of about £3.2million.
The new teaching block will sit at the heart of the college campus and the construction programme requires a considerable amount of planning to keep the existing buildings live whilst the demolition and new build construction is conducted, BAM said.,
Completion is expected for September 2023 when the college will have capacity for up to 2,850 pupils, making it one of the largest schools by student number in the UK.
Procured under the Government’s Department for Education capital framework as part of the priority schools building programme, this will be the ninth school delivered in Devon and Cornwall by main contractor BAM.
Project Manager for BAM Chris Scoins is leading the build, and said: “Communication is key on a project like this and we have developed a close, collaborative relationship with both the client and the school to promote good working relationships. With the successful completion of the phase one works on time we are now progressing with main construction.”
BAM has a strong track record in Devon and Cornwall dating back to 1900, creating the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. Currently it is delivering the new MRI suite and oncology ward at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and recently handed over a new care home and the NHS Nightingale Hospital in Exeter.
The BAM portfolio also includes Wellesley Care and Treatment Facility handed over last year, and Exeter University’s award-winning £50million Life Sciences Building.
BAM, which has had offices in Exeter for about 30 years, has also just finished UWE’s new engineering building, and is building many new facilities at Bristol Royal Infirmary, and EQ the biggest speculative offices in the south of England.
Committed to attracting new talent to the industry, the Exmouth construction project aims to host a series of work experience placements as well as support one construction student on a 45-week T-level placement.
In February BAM staged a virtual call with 30 construction students from Exeter College to present the build and its phases, explore future careers and opportunities for engagement. The students explored the design and these responsibilities of those onsite.
