Contractor G F Tomlinson has completed work on the Cardinal Newman Catholic School for Coventry City Council.

The completion of the project was marked with an official 'ribbon cutting' ceremony last month, with G F Tomlinson's Managing Director, Chris Flint, the school's headteacher Emma O’Connor in attendance, alongside representatives from Seymour Harris Architects and Coventry City Council.

The occasion was celebrated with a number of short speeches from stakeholders, a vote of thanks and a blessing of the newly refurbished school by school Chaplain Fr Pat Brennan and Canon Tom Farrell.

The project led by G F Tomlinson, comprised of the construction of a new dining hall and the refurbishment and remodelling of existing classroom and dining spaces to create optimised teaching facilities which will allow for an additional 200 places at the school - in line with the government’s drive to provide extra student spaces in Coventry.


Procured through Pagabo's National Framework for Medium Works, this was the first scheme G F Tomlinson had been awarded through the framework in its allocated region, which covers projects between the value of £1m-£5m in the West Midlands.

The main scope of works was the construction of a new 400-student capacity dining hall, which included a new, fully fitted catering kitchen and toilet facilities, as well as a mezzanine upper floor to be used by the school’s sixth form students, accessed via an internal floating staircase or accessible lift.

The current dining halls, located in the Lindisfarne and Canterbury blocks have been transformed into three teaching blocks and a seminar room, with a new accessible entrance formed to access the existing Teaching and Learning Centre to the rear of the blocks.

The new dining hall overlooks the existing playing field and features an outdoor dining area which includes a new external terrace with elevated tiered seating built into an existing grass bank.

Mr Flint said: "This was the first project to be completed under Pagabo’s National Framework for Medium Works, alongside Coventry City Council and we could not be more pleased with the result.

"The school has undergone significant change, replacing existing buildings with brand new, optimised teaching spaces and facilities. The newly completed dining hall is a great addition – and showcases the quality of the design and build. These important changes to the school will maximise the space and have a positive impact on the overall experience of both the pupils and the staff. We look forward to partnering on similar projects in the future."