ISG is to build a £1.2 million extension at Withycombe Raleigh Church of England Primary School in Exmouth as part of an £8 million cluster of primary school improvements for Devon County Council, the first projects to be procured via the influential Construction Framework South West.

ISG has worked collaboratively with design partner NPS to develop a standard solution for these extension projects in line with the Education Funding Agency's (EFA) baseline design standards, which aim to cut construction costs, whilst delivering high quality teaching environments.

Utilising the learning and expertise from ISG's previous four model school developments, the contractor and NPS have developed a cost-effective and time-efficient programme for each of the schools, enabling Devon County Council to increase the number of primary school places available in the county.

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The Withycombe Raleigh project involves the construction of a two-storey, standalone teaching block on the existing school campus, containing group rooms, break-out spaces, toilets and circulation areas. The 10,200 sq. ft. teaching block will be of steel frame construction with masonry and timber cladding and a standing seam metal roof. ISG will use pre-cast concrete planks at first floor level to deliver build and cost efficiencies, and the new structure will feature under floor heating to maximise internal space.

The turnkey project incorporates a complete fit out programme, with ISG handing over the extension for immediate occupation. Externally, the existing playground will be extended and improved to bring it up to Sport England standards. The scheme closely follows ISG’s successful completion of the first cluster project at nearby Marpool Primary School, and the contractor is also currently on site at Bassetts Farm School in Exmouth, with the commencement of the St Leonard's Primary School in Exeter extension scheduled for the end of May.

(CD/IT)