Latest News | 8 June 2021
Bondholder lands contract to build new school
Construction company Bowmer + Kirkland is to build a new secondary school in Essex as part of a £24 million deal.
The Derbyshire firm has been awarded the contract to build Thames Park School, in Grays, a secondary free school for 900 pupils aged 11 to 16, with the potential for a sixth form.
It will be one of the country’s first schools to be built through the Department for Education’s Modern Methods of Construction Framework.
It will be built using structural insulated panels, roof cassettes and pre-cast concrete floors.
Together with its off-site contractor, Innovare, B+K has developed this system further by installing windows, roofing, and external cladding off-site.
B+K own’s mechanical and electrical company, DBS, has been involved with the development of an off-site plant room.
The off-site method of construction reduces time spent on site, is better for the environment and further improves health and safety.
Chris Arno, B+K’s framework director, said: “I am extremely proud that our first school to be delivered though the DfE’s Offsite (MMC) Framework is now about to hit site.
“While, as a company, we have been delivering schools for the DfE using Offsite technology since 2014, Thames Park embraces the considerable research and development we have made over that time, to refine our product and increase its pre-manufactured value.
“This is culminating in the delivery of our very mature ‘Configure Offsite 3.0’ standardised, yet flexible, school solution, which will exceed the very stringent performance requirements of the DfE’s Output Specification, while reducing the construction duration by 30%.
“I look forward to watching the building take shape.”
Thames Park will have two buildings, – a three-storey teaching block and a separate sports block.
These will be complemented by two multi-use game areas, an all-weather pitch, turfed sports pitches and a running track.
B+K recently started off-site manufacturing and earthworks will begin at the end of June.
The school will be ready for students to start in September 2022.
