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Division(s): Hinksey, Cumnor, Didcot Manor

ITEM EX12


EXECUTIVE – 6 JULY 2004

DETAILED PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. ED611

NAME OF SCHEME: Matthew Arnold School - Art Classroom Extension

BASIS OF ESTIMATE: Cost based on Atkins pre - tender estimate. START YEAR: 2004/2005

  1. INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

    2. Matthew Arnold School’s Art department has insufficient accommodation and is not well suited for current curriculum demands. This project provides for an extension to the school’s Art department to bring the department together in one area of the school and to provide a new 100 sq m purpose designed Art space in accordance with Building Bulletin 89 and the consequential refurbishment of existing Art classrooms. The school and the LEA will jointly fund the scheme.

  2. JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NEED

    3. As part of the Asset Management Plan process suitability assessments were undertaken on all schools within the County and each teaching space given a rating on a range from A to D (A being the worst in terms of a room suitability). Funding of £5m from Government grant through NDS Modernisation has been made available to Oxfordshire and a prioritisation process has taken place in consultation with the Asset Management Plan Consultation Group.

    Matthew Arnold School has the highest number of B category needs in relation to pupil numbers. The addition of a new Art room and the refurbishment of existing Art class rooms will have a significant impact in reducing suitability needs at the school and in reaching the LEA’s targets within the Asset Management Plan. This approach is will have a significant impact in raising standards at the school.

  3. OTHER OPTIONS

    4. The only alternative option is to do nothing and leave the school with accommodation that will continue to have suitability needs as identified in the AMP.

  4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

        1. Capital

          2. The estimated cost of the project inclusive of fees is £346K for the Art department scheme and the school will meet this jointly with the LEA. NDS Modernisation funding has already identified for this project (£224K) with the school’s contribution from their Devolved Formula Capital funds (£112K). A contribution will also be made from the Schools Access Initiative (£10K).

          See attached Resource Appraisal (download as .xls file)

        2. Revenue

    The school will meet day-to-day repair and maintenance costs and structural repairs as part of the Council’s Fair Funding arrangements.

  5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

The scheme will provide an improved teaching and learning environment within the school, and efficiently and effectively utilize funding available to the Authority. The building work will be carried out in accordance with the planning permission issued by the County Council. The design, materials and landscaping will be as specified in the planning consent.

KEITH BARTLEY
Director for Learning & Culture

CHRIS GRAY
Head of Finance

NEIL MONAGHAN
Head of Property

Contact Officer: Howard Hughes, Principal Project Officer, Tel: 01865 492056

June 2004

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