Greensted Junior School – Estate Planning
- Client Name: Greensted Junior School
- Location: Basildon, Essex
- Type of client: Primary Academy
- Services provided by M+C: Asset Management | Estate Planning | School Development Planning | Building Surveying | Planning Services | Procurement | Project Management | CIF Funding Application
As part of Greensted Junior School’s conversion to Academy status during 2012; Munday + Cramer were appointed to provide strategic estate planning support to the Senior Management Team to raise the standards across the existing building portfolio. Whilst the school’s buildings were in reasonable condition, the new Academy suffered limitations in terms of building usage; in particular facing increased requirements for specialist support areas as well as additional space for PPA.
M+C started the process undertaking a detailed condition survey and developing a 5-year plan (for condition and maintenance related elements), along with carrying out a full curriculum study in terms of building usage. With input from the Senior Management Team, a detailed estate planning strategy could be established to prioritise works throughout the school against those two key criteria.
Over the ensuing years, a number of schemes have been developed against the overall estate plan, harnessing both school funds as well as external funding such as ACMF/CIF funding from the EFA. Some of these schemes have included:
Infill extension
To help meet the need for additional space for SEN/one-to-one/focus group work, a redundant area of the school site was identified as opportune for creating an infill extension. This solution made good use of an under-utilised area, which also provided enough space to create a learning resource centre. The scheme was chosen over the provision of a demountable classroom; reasoning it provided better integration with the school, and an ultimately more cost-effective solution. The scheme was delivered at a total cost of £206,000.
Reception area remodelling
To improve safeguarding and create a more welcoming experience for school visitors, a scheme was developed to remodel the existing reception area. The £36,000 scheme was delivered on a phased basis to minimise disruption to the school.
New paths/access and hard landscaping
Sharing the wider site with Greensted Infants & Nursery, the school site suffered with significant traffic and pedestrian management issues. In a number of places, pedestrians and vehicles would cross paths accessing the infant school (including emergency vehicle access), naturally an undesirable situation. A scheme was developed to provide a new pedestrian path set away from the vehicular access, along with provision of additional parking and extensive landscaping to enhance the site. The scheme was valued at £91,000 and successfully delivered across a number of phases.
Toilet Refurbishments (ACMF)
In 2013 ACMF funding was applied for and successfully achieved to undertake a range of WC refurbishments throughout the school. Updating the toilet facilities meant a move away from dated and unhygienic conditions. It also enabled the introduction of low-energy LED lighting throughout. The £75,000 scheme was fully funded by the EFA.
Water tower demolition (ACMF)
The second 2013 ACMF bid enabled the demolition of the school’s redundant water tower/tank, following rationalisation of the water storage/heating systems throughout the school. In addition to these works, a number of alterations to the gas supply were made, along with the provision of a new lightning conductor for the school.
Kitchen Extension (CIF)
The existing kitchen facility at Greensted Junior School provided all catering functions for both the Junior academy and the infant school (the latter on a contracted basis). As a result of the introduction of the Universal Free School Meals initiative, production through the kitchen was expected to rise by 54% on a day-to-day basis. As a result, the existing provision was not deemed suitable or able to cope with the increased workload. M+C successfully achieved CIF funding for the school to extend the kitchen to provide additional workspace to accommodate the increased staff required. £66,000 was raised from the EFA for the scheme which was completed during the summer recess.
Re-Roofing (CIF)
A bid was developed for the EFA to undertake a range of remedial roofing work to the school in line with the estate planning work that had been undertaken. This maintenance work, costing in the region of £186,000 was verified by the EFA and duly granted. Works to flat roofs across the school were undertaken over the summer recess period, offering the school a long lease of life to all roof coverings.
