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ITEM EX13

EXECUTIVE – 6 FEBRUARY 2001

DETAILED PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. ED 576/1

Start Year: 2001/2002

BASIS OF ESTIMATE: W.S. Atkins’ estimate based on agreed sketch plan

Resource appraisal (download as .rtf file)

INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

St. Andrew’s First School is a 288 place first school situated on London Road, Headington. Seven classrooms are located in permanent accommodation and three in temporary accommodation. Although the buildings have been well maintained, the school does not meet government guidelines in terms of site and play areas. As a consequence of its site limitations the school will eventually be functioning as a one form entry (210 place) primary school following reorganisation. In the interim the school’s numbers will initially rise from 245 to 305 (possibly 320) by 2003, and then fall progressively to 210 in 2008.

The work to which this appraisal relates includes, therefore, the provision of two new classrooms, pupil and staff toilets and office space to meet the increase in pupil numbers. As these new classrooms and associated facilities are required by September 2002, officers propose that the new buildings are constructed using a fast track systems build approach, i.e. timber framed buildings, brick skin, truss rafter, and pitched roof. To enable this method of procurement to be achieved, and for the work to be completed by September 2002, officers recommend that our property consultants negotiate a tender with a contractor specialising in this type of construction.

The scheme also includes some internal alterations to the existing buildings which will be carried out at a point in time when convenient to the school. When all the work is completed, and the temporary classrooms removed over the next few years, the Council will have a school building suitable for teaching and learning in the 21st century.

JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NEED

The justification remains unaltered from the outline appraisal.

Although some minor work is planned as part of the city reorganisation (additional pupil and staff toilets and an extended staff room), none of this deals with the fact that one of the existing permanent classrooms is only 48m², and that the school’s administrative area, library and headteacher’s office are poorly located and inadequate in space terms.

OTHER OPTIONS

The other option remains the provision of temporary classrooms. As 30% of the school’s accommodation presently comprises temporary classrooms, officers do not consider this to be an appropriate response to improving the school’s existing building stock.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

1. Capital

The estimated cost of the scheme, inclusive of fees, is £654,000. These costs will be met from funding identified under the Oxford City Schools Reorganisation from ACG and from grant received from the Government under its NDS Modernisation Initiative.

2. Revenue

The revenue costs (including day to day and structural repairs) will be met from the school’s delegated budget under the Council’s Fair Funding arrangements.

STAFF IMPLICATIONS

There are none arising from this work.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

Contact Officer: Keith Borien, Senior Education Officer Tel: (01865) 815636