Dersingham Primary School & Sheringham Primary School
London Borough of Newham
Project Details
Contacts:
Wilmott Dixon
Danny Corley
danny.corley@willmottdixon.co.uk
London Borough of Newman
John Cochrane
john.cochrane@newham.gov.uk
Project Summary
Redevelopment and Construction of a part new build /part refurbishment of two junior schools and separate nursery for the London Borough of Newham to form two new primary schools: Including part demolition of the existing schools. The existing schools were kept in operation throughout.
The Dersingham Primary School (DPS) project delivered a new Key Stage 2 Building, new nursery and kitchen extension, with refurbishment of the existing 1950’s and key stage 1 buildings. The new KS2 building is situated on the school playground space with access provisions, and remodelling of classrooms and a new reception. The buildings are formed from a cross laminated timber structure on a suspended concrete slab and provide 12 new class rooms, new hall and associated WC’S and offices. The building fabric is formed of Velfac glazing, facing brickwork and insulated render. The roof creates a 750m2 playground with an EPDM rubber crumb finish, which also houses the roof lights to act as the ‘chimney’ to the passive ventilation system. The existing building was extensively remodelled and required considerable structural alterations including demolition of a concrete stair and associated core.
The Sheringham Primary School (SPS) included elements of demolition. New buildings included new classroom block, raised play deck and other new classrooms. Existing classrooms and the reception area were remodelled and extended with provision for new kitchen and toilet facilities.
Key Challenges
Live school sites to be kept in operation throughout build
- Review of Phasing Proposals
-
Novated architect IID brought into to WDC team
Challenging logistics due to very tight sites within residential area
- Review of Phasing Proposals
Very nervous client due to the volume of work required
- Early engagement with Client team – both LB Newham and Headteachers, Jo Beazer and Gary Wilkie
- Early and continued engagement with Client to understand budget and aspirations. Transparent costs
Tree protection and issues accessing the site
- Regular engagement and planning with Highways Authorities and Tree Officer which enabled site to beoperational at all times
Our Successes
- Common Design team across both projects
- Common Products across both projects
- Early engagement with Highways Dept
- Off site modular construction decision – KLH
- Early engagement with supply chain partners
- Delivery of over £1m added value savings to meet budget and quality required
Our Learnings
- Ensuring the scope and brief are agreed
- Ensure budget is clearly defined
- Election periods can impact approval process
Value Added
- Aggregated procurement across both projects including use of SAVE contractors
- Early engagement of Willmott Dixon at RIBA Stage C enabled design solution to be influenced
- Early engagement of specialist subcontractors – KLH (Cross laminated timer structural solution) & Smith Group (M&E)
- Collaboration with stakeholders
| Contract | Gateway 3 | Gateway 4 | Variation |
| Cost | DPS – £7,293,896 SPS – £7,902,102 | DPS – £7,293,896 SPS – £7,902,102 | 0% |
| Time | DPS – 61 weeks SPS –77 weeks | DPS – 61 weeks SPS – 86 weeks | 0% 6.5% |
KPI Graphs
Apprentices 6 no.
Average AIR 0 target
Average CCS score 40
Waste diverted from landfill 80%
“Our new KS2 building and nursery has been built around us while we have continued to operate as a school. Our school site is very small and this at times was problematic as we became a building site and the buildings took shape. However, Willmotts were very conscious of the fact that we are a school and ensured that health and safety was their first priority, keeping our children, parents and staff very safe and we were able to keep the doors open and be a school. The weekly team meetings were great and kept everyone up to speed with what was happening. Plus they were always at the end of a phone. The children enjoyed their weekly visits to the new buildings during construction and watched the building grow and take shape.”
Jo Beazer
Headteacher
Dersingham Primary School
