BAM has been selected to build a new £26.5 million secondary school in Swindon.

The company will develop The Deanery Church of England Academy close to the existing Wichelstowe Waitrose store in the town. Completion is scheduled for September 2019.

Designed by AHR architects, features of the three-storey building includes enhanced sports and arts facilities for 1,470 students. In addition, it will have a range of high quality specialist workshops for graphics, ICT, and electronics, science studios, and music facilities as well as general teaching rooms.

A floodlit all-weather pitch will also be developed, alongside drained grass pitches, a sports hall to Sport England club standards and a 440-seater auditorium.

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BAM will fit out the school, except for the specialist ICT aspect, with Hydrock providing structural and services engineering.

Pat Griffin, BAM's Senior Design Manager, said: "Externally, the school has a dignified and elegant look but provides for a really vibrant mix of activities and facilities. It maximises daylight as an integral part of the design. BAM’s role reflects our strong track record in the sector and in Swindon, where we are currently mid-way through the construction of a new secondary school at the Tadpole Village site and also recently completed the new University Technical College.

"We are using a consistent and experienced team who employ a very collaborative approach. Our early engagement here allows us to bring in our supply chain which helps identify and mitigate risks."

Cllr Fionuala Foley said: "The Deanery will provide amazing facilities for pupils and is a significant investment in the new Wichelstowe development. I look forward to seeing the new school take shape and I'm pleased the Council has been able to contribute some funding to enhance what promises to be a state-of-the-art educational facility."

(LM)