Morgan Sindall Construction to deliver two new Norfolk primary schools

Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to construct two new primary schools in Norfolk, worth a combined value of £15 million.

The projects are being delivered for Norfolk County Council as part of a £169 million county-wide investment programme to increase the number of school places in growing communities. The programme has already created more than 4,800 extra school places since 2013, with more to come. Both schools have been designed by NPS.

Construction has started on the first scheme - a new primary school in Hethersett, south of Norwich. The £8 million development on Coachmakers Way will create a brand new 420-place all-through primary school and standalone nursery. The two-storey two form entry school will include a multi-use games area and play equipment for the students.

In addition to this, Morgan Sindall Construction will deliver a new two-form entry £7 million primary school in Great Yarmouth on the current North Denes Primary School site. The project will create a modern 420-place school with sports fields and playgrounds - the first new school to have been built in Great Yarmouth for decades.

The North Denes primary school will feature photovoltaic panels on the roof, and will draw on passive environment design principals to create a naturally ventilated, energy efficient, environmentally friendly building.

Given the new school’s proximity to the coast, Morgan Sindall Construction has been working closely with the NPS design team on materials used on the building, to ensure it is able to perform within the coastal environment.

Classes will continue in the current 1930s school building, while works on the new school progress. Children will then move into their new, two-storey school in time for the 2020 academic year.

Morgan Sindall Construction’s experienced project team will be implementing a number of processes, including traffic management systems and noise reduction during exams, to minimise disruption to school users and neighbours during the build process.

The project teams across both sites will also be engaging with the local community and developing links with neighbourhood groups and school users during their time on site. Children from North Denes School will take part in visits to the site of the new school during the build and special assemblies and coffee mornings will be held to keep students and parents informed of progress on the project.

Morgan Sindall Construction will also work closely with local suppliers, and labour and materials for both projects will be sourced locally where possible; increasing jobs in the region, reducing carbon emissions and boosting Norfolk’s economy.

John Stedman, framework manager at Morgan Sindall Construction in the East, said: “Our team has a long-standing, collaborative relationship with Norfolk County Council and the team at NPS and we’re delighted to once again be working in partnership to deliver these important and much-needed facilities in Great Yarmouth and Hethersett.
“The new schools will improve the offering available for children in these localities and ensure the growing population is able to access a first-class educational experience.
“Ensuring that we engage positively with the local community is a key priority for our project teams and we will be working hard to foster strong links with our project neighbours. Our supply chain will be drawn from Great Yarmouth, wherever possible, to ensure the positive impact of both developments is felt within the regional economy.”

Councillor John Fisher, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Norfolk County Council said: "These investments in new school places demonstrate how the County Council is providing the right infrastructure to support communities which are growing as a result of new developments and population growth.
"Thanks to our ongoing £169 million investment programme, thousands more of our county’s children are learning in modern new schools close to where they live. But it’s not just about bricks and mortar. It's about investing in our children’s education and supporting our schools to provide the best possible start in life for our youngest residents."

Morgan Sindall Construction has a strong track record delivering high-quality education schemes across East Anglia. The company is currently on site expanding Roydon Primary School in south Norfolk on behalf of Norfolk County Council. The project will double school’s capacity to 420 places and create eight new classrooms, a main hall, food tech room, reception area, offices, and a new staffroom.

• For more information about this news release please contact Ruth Cobban or Sophie Anderson at Influential on 0151 239 5000 or email cobban@thisisinfluential.com or anderson@thisisinfluential.com