Wixams Academy
Framework: SCAPE Construction and SCAPE Consultancy
Sector: Education
Project Value: £29.6 Million
Client: Bedford Borough Council
Completed: November 2024
"We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our school facilities, which marks a significant milestone in enhancing the educational experience at our institution. The new state-of-the-art sports hall and specialist labs for science, design technology, media, and art will provide our students with unparalleled opportunities to explore their passions and develop their skills".
Nathaniel Wilson,
Headteacher at Wixams Academy
Originally part of the development of the cutting-edge 640 academy in 2017, we returned to address the increasing demand for secondary school places in Bedford. The project expanded the school’s capacity to accommodate 1,800 pupils through the construction of a three-storey teaching block, a modern sports hall, and the refurbishment of existing facilities.
The project was delivered by Willmott Dixon on the SCAPE construction framework, with Pick Everard, via Perfect Circle on the SCAPE Consultancy framework, playing a crucial role in delivering project management, quantity surveying, and principal designer services, all working together collaboratively with Bedford Borough Council and completing in November 2024.
The expansion has created a sustainable, modern, and inclusive learning environment in Bedford. These improvements provide students with first-class learning experiences and state-of-the-art facilities for their educational journey.
Wixams in Bedford has seen growth due to new housing developments, increasing the demand for secondary school places. To accommodate this, the school needed to be expanded and have a modern sports hall to boost sports participation. Upgrades were also needed for labs in science, design, technology, art, media, and food technology, as well as new classrooms.
The project involved delivering a school expansion on an active campus, which required careful coordination and a phased construction approach to avoid any disruption to students and staff. Separate work zones and phased handovers were implemented. It was identified that piling works would coincide with the school's exam period. By collaborating with the Trust, the programme was rescheduled to minimise disruption, reducing downtime from six weeks to three and a half weeks.
The school's scope changed from 5FE to 6FE, needing space for 90 more pupils by September 2023. Despite the project's completion set for summer 2024, four additional classrooms were needed by summer 2023. The design included four permanent modular classrooms to be installed by summer 2023, and two more by September 2023. The initial block of six classrooms expanded to eight, matching the campus-style vision and meeting both immediate and long-term needs.
The expansion of Wixams Academy creates a high-quality, energy-efficient educational environment aimed at supporting student wellbeing, engagement, and academic excellence. Through effective collaboration, the extension project has successfully increased the academy's capacity, enhanced sports facilities, and provided an excellent environment for both students and staff.
The project used a £250,000 grant from the England Cricket Board to upgrade the school’s sports facilities. Improvements included lighting, flooring, netting, and bowling machines, all meeting ECB standards and encouraging participation from women and disabled individuals.
Through the collaboration with Wilmott Dixon, Pick Everard, and Perfect Circle, we demonstrated effective teamwork in achieving significant results and prioritised the school's requirements, especially with the initial change of brief and the need for modular classrooms.
The project achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating, ensuring long-term energy efficiency and sustainability.
This project keeps Wixams Academy a leading educational institution in Bedford.
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Image courtesy of Quintessential Photography
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