Island Free School
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Location: Isle of Wight
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Sector: Education
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Service: Regional Building
As part of the DfE framework, Tilbury Douglas completed construction for this new build secondary school on the Isle of Wight, working closely with the Island Free School, Capita and the DfE to bring this project to fruition.
The new-build school accommodates for a five form entry school, with children aged between 11 and 16, for a total of 625 pupils. The Island Free School has a music and performing arts specialism that is woven into the teaching and underlying philosophy of the school’s educational offering. This specialism has resulted in the music areas being located adjacent to the main entrance in the design, offering the ability to be `on-show` to the general public and wider community of Ventnor.
At a glance...
£13m
Project value
September 2017
Completion date
Department for Education
Client
This £13m project was built in a single phase on a new site to which the existing school relocated. Whilst the current school continued to function, intake increased year on year, and part of our contract included the design and provision of temporary accommodation for the new Year 9 pupils to commence on GCSE subject areas.
Added value
The building is designed with operational efficiency in mind, maximising the use of natural ventilation through a breathing buildings method, with a central hall mechanically ventilated. Heating is provided by radiators and radiant panels and thermal massing through exposed soffits ensures efficient cooling and control. Works included the full FF&E fit-out and decant from the existing site before it was decommissioned and sold for redevelopment.
Additional constraints included a large ground remediation package to remove asbestos from the upper site, a former RAF base, and the permanent diversion of access roads to ensure the adjacent industrial units and residents can continue to access their property. The school is also directly opposite a live primary school and construction was carefully considered to ensure minimal impact on traffic and daily operations.
Our partners
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Architect: Capita
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M&E Engineer: Capita
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Structural Engineer: Capita
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Project Manager: Capita