Cheadle College campus redevelopment celebrates structural completion
Key milestone for major college revamp in Cheadle
Willmott Dixon has been appointed for a £15 million contract to build a free school that will be the first to allow pupils to board.
Holyport College in Berkshire will be an all-ability co-educational day and boarding school for students aged 11 – 19 years when it opens in September 2014. When full, 225 of the 500 pupils will be boarders, with top independent school Eton College adding its expertise as sole educational sponsor.
Procured through Scape, a national framework enabling the public sector to procure construction quickly and more efficiently, Willmott Dixon will start building work this month to create the College on the site of a former special needs school in Ascot Road in Holyport. The scope of the project will see the company demolish some of the existing buildings and replace with new teaching and living accommodation.
As one of the largest free schools to be given the green-light, entry at Holyport College will be in both Years 7 and 9 and the school will include a Sixth Form. Eton College will take a lead role on the Governing Body, helping to shape the school ready for opening next year, with the school also able to use some of Eton's facilities, particularly for sport.
John Waterman, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the southern Home Counties, said, “This is a very exciting development for the whole free school movement and one we are delighted to be helping make happen. The site team are working closely with the College to ensure their requirements and needs are delivered on this unique project. As with all our projects, we’ll use local companies wherever possible, to ensure we can sustain jobs and help the local economy prosper from having such a prestigious College built in their region. We have a reputation as a considerate builder and will endeavour to minimise disruption for those who live, work and use the roads near the site.”
Simon Dudley, Chairman of Governors of Holyport College, said, “We are delighted that Willmott Dixon is on board and look forward to welcoming our first students at the beginning of September 2014.”
Key milestone for major college revamp in Cheadle
Takes pipeline of Passivhaus, net zero carbon, and BREEAM outstanding projects to over £1.4bn.
Latest in a series of projects for Westminster City Council following Westmead development to build 65 new affordable homes on Tavistock Road, plus 112 new homes on Harrow Road
Latest cohort will complement the company's existing 85 trainees earning while they learn
Latest adaptive re-use of existing property
Company is highest placed contractor and follows a similar accolade earlier this year with The Times
Pipeline of Passivhaus, net zero carbon, and/or BREEAM outstanding projects worth £1.4bn