Meeting documents

Return to Agenda

Return to CA15

ITEM CA15

CABINET – 6 SEPTEMBER 2005

EDUCATION PROJECT APPRAISALS – LORD WILLIAMS'S SCHOOL, THAME AND ELMS ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL, BOTLEY

DETAILED PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. ED 625

NAME OF SCHEME: Lord Williams’s School, Thame – four new science labs and preparation area

START YEAR: 2005/06

BASIS OF ESTIMATE: Mouchel Parkman cost estimate based on agreed sketch scheme

1. INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

This scheme replaces four temporary classrooms on the Upper School site. In developing the scheme, a site analysis was carried out which assessed the siting and location of different teaching rooms according to curriculum use and it was agreed to proceed with replacing these general teaching classrooms with four science labs. This allowed the whole of the science department to be brought together by providing an extension to the Syson Building, a free-standing science building. The vacated classrooms will be converted into general teaching classrooms.

The project provides four new science labs and additional preparation area of 80m² to ensure the appropriate amount of space for the whole block plus new chemical store storage, lobbies and lift. The proposals are part two-storey, part single-storey L-shaped block located in the north-west angle at the front of the Syson Building. The costs of converting the science labs to classrooms will be met by the school.

2. JUSTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF NEED

The scheme represents work identified as one of the Asset Management Plan’s priorities to remove some of the oldest temporary classrooms on school sites that are beyond economic repair. Four classrooms at Lord Williams’s School adjacent to the new swimming pool and sports centre have been identified as part of this programme, and will be removed at the end of the project.

All the labs being replaced are in first-floor accommodation and cannot be accessed by people with physical disabilities. The existing science labs are smaller than recommended in the Secondary School Brief and the classrooms in the temporary buildings are also too small.

3. OTHER OPTIONS

A series of site options were developed but the scope for providing additional new build teaching classrooms on the existing site where they could be linked to other existing facilities was limited. The opportunity of bringing four classrooms into the heart of the new building was attractive and providing four new science labs also provided the opportunity to bring the science department together.

A series of options were explored in relation to providing the science labs on the Syson Building, including a series of single-storey extensions. The Syson Building is close to a steep slope and adjacent to the tennis courts and most of the options required significant external works including the replacement of hard play. The two-storey option is seen to be the most cost-effective way of providing four new science labs and with the provision of platform lift is cheaper than the external works under the other options.

4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS (see attached resource appraisal) (download as .doc file)
   
   

1. Capital

Total cost of the scheme inclusive of fees is £1.456m. Funding will come from Modernisation funding. Capital costs of refurbishing science labs into general teaching classrooms will be met by the school.

2. Revenue

Day-to-day revenue costs will be met by the school’s delegated budget. There will be financial benefits to both the school and the County by removing the temporary classrooms that have a high repairs and maintenance liability and other high running costs.

5. STAFF IMPLICATIONS

There are none arising from this project.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS