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18 July 2023Plans for new Wombourne High School building get go-ahead
Proposals for the part-demolition of the existing Wombourne High School and development of a brand-new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) school building have been approved by South Staffordshire Council. Reds10 were appointed to design and build the new building via the Department for Education (DfE) ‘Off-site Schools Framework’.
The new 3,500m2 building is part of the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme (SRP). The SRP seeks to replace or refurbish existing school buildings with the greatest condition need. The two-storey building will sit within the footprint of the previously demolished building and will include:
- Two business studies classrooms
- Three art rooms
- Two food technology rooms
- A graphic design classroom
- Two resistant materials workshops – one lined to a CAD CAM 3D printing room
- Seven standard and two specialist science labs with science prep room
- Two music classrooms and six music practice rooms
- SEN (Special Educational Needs) teaching areas
- Staff / administration areas
The existing building, built during the 1950s, will first be demolished by Reds10, to provide space for the new block. Prior to demolition, Reds10 will construct on-site temporary teaching accommodation, to ensure that the school remains operational throughout the build process.
The new block is being designed and built to the latest DfE Spec21 and will be net zero carbon in operation at handover.
HLM Architects were lead architect for the new STEM building, bringing their thoughtful and holistic design approach to developing the detailed architectural layouts. This very collaborative and open approach of working with the Invictus Education Trust, who will operate the school, and the DfE’s technical advisors, has resulted in design proposals that fully meet the school-specific requirements, as well as being compliant with the DfE guidance. The design approach is for a site-specific proposal complementing the exiting campus and the external appearance is inspired by sequencing patterns found in the natural world that link back to the STEM subjects that are accommodated within the proposed block.
Wombourne High School is part of the DfE’s ‘Off-site Schools Framework’ and will be constructed using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) with 87% of the work completed off site in Reds10’s Yorkshire factory.
“We are delighted to receive the green light and see work now begin on the construction of the new STEM block at Wombourne High School. The new, modern, eye-catching building will allow us to continue to deliver on our commitment to provide students with the best education possible, while the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) will allow the rest of the campus to remain operational in a safe way with minimal disruption.”
“It’s exciting to see another school under the DfE’s ambitious ‘Off-site Schools Framework’ reach a key milestone. By building 87% of the building in our factory, we are reducing our time on an operational school site and minimising disruption to staff and pupils, while we work on the new state-of-the-art STEM building.”
“The Trust and Council aspirations for this project was for a well-designed building that will integrate into the existing context and provide Wombourne High School with a new frontage and enhanced teaching and learning facilities, which we’re proud to have achieved here.”
