Morgan Sindall delivers next generation of primary school places for Southwark

Morgan Sindall Construction has delivered a new generation of school places for London children, following the completion of work on six primary schools across the London Borough of Southwark – the Borough’s largest refurbishment programme since the Victorian era.

Over 1,000 new school places have been created through the developments, which form part of the Borough’s significant wider investment across the community with millions earmarked for expansion and new buildings in areas where numbers of children are expected to rise in the coming years.

Morgan Sindall’s construction teams have remodelled four existing schools and delivered two new buildings for the borough. The work has been delivered under the £4 billion, four-year Southern Construction Framework (SCF), one of the main public sector construction frameworks in London and the South East for the education and health sectors.

Richard Dobson, Morgan Sindall Construction area director, said: “It’s been a real privilege to have the opportunity to shape the buildings where a new generation of South London school children will learn, play and grow. London is a world-leading city, and as such, it seems appropriate to be investing in delivering world-class school buildings and facilities for our communities.
“These six schools now offer outstanding features including roof gardens, world-class music and arts facilities, and brilliant sports facilities – which have been carefully delivered to make the most of the tight urban footprint which many of these schools inhabit.
“Our teams have worked closely with the schools to ensure pupils, teachers, and the local community have been inspired and involved at key points in the project journey. Their innovative approaches have included creating a school choir, developing an app which helps children to understand the build process, and holding fun events to mark key milestones. It’s been a fantastic process and we would like to extend our thanks to the wider project teams, the schools involved and all our project partners.”

Cllr Victoria Mills, Cabinet Member for Children and Schools said: “In recent years across London there has been an increasing demand for school places and Southwark is no different. These six schools are part of a wider project to expand and improve the schools in our borough. As well as delivering schools of fantastic quality, there are now more, much needed, primary school places across the borough to meet future demand.
“It is fantastic to see Southwark council’s investment create school buildings and play spaces that will benefit local children for generations to come. The impact that school surroundings and buildings can have on a child’s education cannot be underestimated and these schools are all environments that encourage children to achieve their potential.
“Throughout this process schools have been able to create bespoke learning environments that suit their school community and fulfil their needs. Whether that be rooftop playgrounds and learning spaces, additional nursery facilities or larger classrooms; all of these schools now have the equipment they need to provide the very best education to children across the borough.”

The new build projects include the delivery of a new building for Albion Primary School. The striking two-storey development on Albion Road features high-quality teaching and learning space and enables the school’s expansion to a two-form entry primary school, accommodating 420 pupils (an additional 210 pupils above its existing capacity). The new school also has indoor and outdoor playing and learning areas, including a roof garden.

Morgan Sindall Construction has also delivered a new building to house Bellenden Primary School in Dewar Street in Southwark. The development means the school is now able to accommodate an additional 210 pupils. Children will be able to enjoy the building’s features, which include rooftop play areas and a music room.

Alongside the new builds, Morgan Sindall Construction also remodelled and upgraded four further Southwark schools. Charles Dickens Primary School has been extended to become a two-form entry school, allowing it to grow intake by 105 pupils. Robert Browning Primary School in Walworth has undergone an expansion to enable it to grow to a two-form entry, accommodating an additional 105 pupils.

Grange Primary School on Webb Street is also being expanded to allow it to accommodate an additional 105 pupils. The Victorian buildings that once housed the Old Bellenden School in Bellenden Road have also been transformed to create a home for the new Belham Free School. The new school can now accommodate 420 pupils.

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