Tilbury Douglas Secures Two New Education Contracts in the West Midlands

Tilbury Douglas has won two new education contracts in the West Midlands, with work starting later this month.

Located in Walsall, both schools (The Ladder School and Walsall Studio School) were awarded by the Department for Education under the EFSA 2017 Medium Band Construction Framework and will be operated by The Mercian Trust.

Designed in collaboration with Race Cottam Architects, The Ladder School will be an entirely new build school providing alternative provision for young people in the Walsall area who are at the risk of exclusion from mainstream education. Currently housed in temporary accommodation, the new two and three storey building will offer up to 112 students a radically improved learning environment for Key Stage 4 and post 16 education.

Principal of The Ladder School, Mr. Chris Bury said:

“I am very excited to see construction work start; the new school has been carefully planned to ensure students have the best possible chances to succeed. As a school community we cannot wait to move into our new facilities, the project will change the life chances for the students we serve.”

On an adjacent site, a second project to extend accommodation for Walsall Studio School will simultaneously be constructed. Walsall Studio School is a specialist studio school with a bespoke curriculum designed to engage students on a 4-year professional journey that allows them to thrive in the creative, digital and health industries. The new building will provide dedicated and specialist space to further this work.

Principal of Walsall Studio School, Mr. Darren Perry said:

“The new build development symbolises our commitment to providing a high-quality performance and a digitally rich learning environment that enables our students to thrive. As a school that champions industry-led learning, I am excited to enhance our unique Studio School approach for future cohorts of students.”

Commenting on the new developments, Simon Butler, Division Director at Tilbury Douglas Construction in the Midlands said:

“We are delighted to have been awarded two new contracts which represent a significant investment in education provision in the West Midlands. Tilbury Douglas has a strong track record in delivering specialist education projects and we are looking forwards to starting on site.”

Works will begin in April 2021, with a completion date of spring 2022.