Morgan Sindall Construction has been selected to build a new £5.6 million extension to Kings Heath Boys School in Kings Heath, south Birmingham.

The company was appointed by Birmingham City Council.

The local authority commissioned the scheme in response to the city's population boom. A report by the council earlier this year estimated that 10,000 additional secondary school places would be needed in the next five years to cope with demand. Birmingham City Council is aiming to increase capacity at Kings Heath School by moving to a seven form entry model next September. All new spaces will be sized to accommodate 30 students and futureproof the school.

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The project was tendered through the Construction West Midlands (CWM) Framework: a high quality, cost effective delivery vehicle for public sector construction, which Morgan Sindall Construction has had a place on since 2011. The framework is managed by consultancy firm Acivico, on behalf of Birmingham City Council.

Designed by Associated Architects, the ground floor will be a new staff room, two science laboratories and a resource room. There will also be additional toilets and new entrance lobby. The first floor will be used to house classrooms with the latest in IT equipment and a head of year office, while the second floor will have a music room, conference room and food technology facilitates.

Enabling works began in July on the first phase of construction while pupils were off-site for their summer holidays. The existing kitchen and administration block has been demolished to make space for a new sub-station upgrade and 1,743 square foot kitchen extension.

Pedestrian walkways have been built to ensure staff and pupils will still be able to move freely around the site. First phase works are scheduled to complete in early November. Construction will then begin on the new extension itself.

Work on the overall project is expected to complete by late 2021.