Classrooms which will create a new single storey block at Addington School are beginning to take shape.
Modular construction specialists Reds10 are putting the finishing touches to the rooms before they are transferred to the school in Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, ahead of its expansion.
Staff from Wokingham Borough Council and the Ofsted-rated outstanding school went to check on the progress of the building work at the company’s factory in Kelleythorpe, near Hull.
The main structure, roof, internal walls, ceilings, doors, windows and initial mechanical and electrical works have all been completed off-site.
Off site construction
This represents about 60 per cent of the construction and the modules will then be transported to the school, where final fit out will take place.
Using this approach reduces the number of vehicle trips required as part of the project compared to traditional construction and will help Wokingham Borough Council towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
The £4.4million project, which will include four classrooms, a café and social/breakout areas, will improve the lives of 50 more young people, due to the increased capacity, by giving them access to outstanding SEND education in the Wokingham borough.
Boosting capacity
It will boost the school’s capacity to more than 250 students and means more children with special educational needs and disabilities from the borough will be able to be educated closer to home, making families’ lives easier by reducing journey times, as well as reducing the council’s travel costs.
“It’s fantastic to see the school’s new building starting to get into shape and it will only be a few months until pupils will begin to start making the most of this additional space,” said Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services.
“Addington School is an outstanding educational institution and being able to extend its offering to even more of our young people who need their specialist education is something we’re extremely proud of.”
The buildings are due for delivery to the school during February half-term. This is so they can be put into place while creating minimal disruption.
Work is due to be completed in the summer with the new single-storey block officially opening in September.
It follows the official opening of two new multi-use games areas (MUGAs), a new sensory path and an expanded car park at the school at the end of September 2019.
These were constructed over the summer to ensure pupils had all the facilities they need upon returning to school for the Autumn term.
