BAM Construction has been selected to build £16 million of new teaching facilities for Helston Community College in Cornwall.

The contractor was appointed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to deliver the scheme, which is the first of three schools awarded in a batch to BAM.

Planning proposals for Newquay Tretherras School (also in Cornwall) have been submitted, while a third school, Plympton Academy in Plymouth, is also planned and currently under discussion. With works on both community schools valued at around £8m, the potential value of the batch is approximately £32m.

Initial designs for the new College have been developed by BAM in partnership with architect Stride Treglown, which is assisting in the scheme's continued development. Works include developing a new teaching block, a dining hall, sports hall and ancillary accommodation. Once completed, old facilities will be demolished to clear space for modern sports pitches.


Graham Kingdon, BAM's Construction Director, said: "We not only have to be very competitive to secure good value for money for the ESFA, which means us using very modern and efficient techniques for creating these facilities, but also we have to give the schools fresh buildings matching their needs and aspirations.

"This is helped by our close partnership with Stride Treglown and by our having a well-developed supply chain in Cornwall thanks to us delivering several recent schemes in the county.

"We are hopeful we can conclude the process for all the schools to get on site and deliver not only the schools themselves, but also, life opportunities from working with the local community. A construction scheme presents an opportunity to learn and train people for the future benefit of the industry."

Work on Helston College is now underway with hand over scheduled for early 2020.

(LM/MH)