ITEM CA13 DETAILED PROJECT
APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. ED 609/1 START YEAR: 2006/2007 BASIS OF ESTIMATE: Mouchel Parkman estimate based on agreed sketch scheme.
The strategy to address the accommodation requirements to meet the projected growth in pupil numbers at Faringdon Community College was set out in the Outline Project Appraisal ED 609 that was approved by the Executive in April 2004. This identified the need to publish a Statutory Notice for the increase in pupil numbers and to prepare a site development plan to establish a clear plan that will provide for future pupil growth, new curriculum requirements and replacement of temporary accommodation. The Statutory Notice was published in May 2004 and no objections were received. The site development plan has identified the major areas for development on the school site and this has been agreed with the school staff and governors. A Detailed Project Appraisal for Phase 1 of the works was approved by the Director for Learning & Culture in June 2004 for the provision of temporary classrooms and internal alterations to the Technology and Art Departments. This scheme combines Phases 2 & 3 and will provide a new science faculty and the creation of general classrooms in the area vacated by the science department. A number of the temporary buildings will be removed as a result of these works. The scheme has the full support of staff and the School’s governing body and the scheme has received planning permission.
The project will provide a new science faculty comprising 9 laboratories and a main school entrance and visitor reception. The accommodation will include 9 full sized science laboratories, 3 preparation rooms, staff workbase and office, chemical storage, general storage and ancillary spaces together with a main school entrance, visitor reception and display area. The new building will be part three storey and part two storey and will be a ‘feature’ building located at the front of the school between existing buildings. There will be minor alteration works in the adjacent buildings. Window replacement to the front elevation of the adjacent Gymnasium will also be included and funded by Prudential Borrowing as an energy conservation measure. Heating boiler replacement work within the Repairs and Maintenance Programme will be brought forward to enable co-ordination with this scheme. The final fit-out and furnishing of the new main school entrance and visitor reception will be managed and funded by the school who are seeking involvement and sponsorship from local firms and institutions. Enabling works will include the demolition of an old isolated two classroom block, the relocation and provision of new car parking, relocation of school bus drop off and collection area and work to services and drains. On completion of the new building, the vacated science rooms will be converted into general classrooms and as a result an appropriate number of temporary classrooms will be removed from the site. The actual number of classrooms to be removed will depend on the increased pupil numbers and other pupil support needs within the school. This will be the subject of agreement with the school at a later date in the project.
Current pupil numbers and forecast growth support the need to provide accommodation for 1050 pupil places at the school. The additional classroom provision has been achieved over the last 6 years by providing temporary general classrooms. Technology and Art classrooms have recently been upgraded by internal conversion but specialist science classrooms remain unsuitable and insufficient. The provision of new, purpose-designed accommodation responds to this need. The internal conversion of vacated accommodation into general classrooms provides the opportunity to remove temporary classrooms. The removal of temporary classrooms is identified as a priority in the approved Education Asset Management Plan Statement of Priorities. There will be some revenue savings due to the school using both new and newly refurbished buildings and there will be a reduction in repairs and maintenance liabilities.
An option appraisal to upgrade and refurbish the existing science accommodation has been carried out but restrictions imposed by the existing building structure have limited the ability to achieve suitable and appropriate sized rooms and the Science Advisor and school did not support this proposal. There are two other options available. The first option is to do nothing. This will leave the school with insufficient and unsuitable specialist classrooms for delivering the National Curriculum requirements for science education and will do nothing to address the reduction of temporary classrooms on the site. The second option is to provide three additional science classrooms in a permanent or temporary block. This will fail to address suitability or condition issues in the existing science classrooms and would present problems in running a split faculty.
The estimated cost of the project inclusive of fees is £3,325,000. This cost will be met from government loan sanction provided as part of Oxfordshire’s Supported Capital Expenditure allocation (£3,103,000), developer contributions secured under S.106 planning agreements (£52,000), a contribution from the schools Devolved Formula Capital grant (£100,000) and Prudential Borrowing funding (£70,000). This scheme combines two phases that are identified in the Capital Programme and the Forward Plan.
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 SUE
SCANE
|