Construction partner Stepnell has officially broken ground on the major expansion of Houlton School, an event marked by a site visit from John Slinger, MP for Rugby.

The project will deliver new primary learning facilities, establishing Rugby borough’s first all-through school by September 2026.

Urban&Civic, the master developer behind the wider mixed-use redevelopment at Houlton to the east of Rugby, has designed the new primary school for Transforming Lives Education Trust as part of its masterplan to meet local growth and rising demand for school places.

The standalone, two-storey timber-framed building will feature 14 classrooms, a main hall, kitchen, and a range of ancillary rooms. Stepnell will leverage its experience in energy-efficient buildings to achieve Passivhaus standards for the development. External finishes, including brick and tile cladding with a metal roof, have been carefully chosen to complement the existing secondary and sixth form facilities at Houlton School, which opened in September 2021 following the transformation of Rugby Radio Station.

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Graham Lambert, Director at Stepnell, said: "Stepnell's work on this landmark expansion at Houlton School will deliver a first-class primary learning environment that integrates seamlessly with the wider school.

"Our expertise in Passivhaus standards and modern timber construction reflects our commitment to responsible and innovative building."

Mike van den Berg, project director at Urban&Civic, added: "We are really excited to be taking on the next chapter in this iconic building’s transformation and adding to the Houlton School campus with primary provision. We are equally excited to be working with local contractor Stepnell who bring a wealth of expertise in school construction and a great local connection to the area and its future growth."

Stepnell has also committed to delivering lasting social value through the project. The team will work with the Urban&Civic community development team to provide on-site learning experiences, careers advice, and employability support for local students. They will also collaborate with the wider community to identify volunteering opportunities that enhance local development.

Measures have been implemented to minimise disruption to the existing school community. Construction will use indirect access routes via the broader Houlton development, avoiding school grounds to ensure safety and continuity throughout the build.