Provian Construction, one of Kent’s leading main contractors, has secured a new project with Kent County Council (KCC). The project will see the company create much needed additional space and facilities at one of the county’s specialist schools, the Orchard School in Canterbury.
The Orchard School caters for primary and secondary aged pupils with social, emotional, behavioural and associated learning difficulties and has achieved Specialist Arts status. As part of KCC’s Special Schools Review SEN (Special Educational Needs) programme, this school is part of the major building programme to provide additional facilities for its pupils and staff.
Originally designed by architects Jacobs under the direction of KCC Property Group’s SEN team, the £600k project will see the design and construction of a new first floor extension by Provian Construction in conjunction with selected partners Lee Evans Partnership and MLM Consulting Engineers. Built on top of existing school facilities, the extension will provide four new classrooms together with a quiet room, an office and a refuge area.
The project will see the new extension built over a section of the existing school. Part of this will require Provian to adapt the existing ground floor of the building to incorporate the change of use. This will see the conversion of a group room and boys’ toilet facilities to accommodate a staircase and wheelchair platform lift leading up to the new extension. New unisex toilet facilities will be provided on the ground floor with the adjacent girls’ toilets converted to a new shower facility and single unisex toilets.
The scheme has been carefully designed to provide adequate circulation space in the new first floor area with a new fire exit leading externally.
Special care and attention will be paid by Provian during construction as the works will need to be carried out during term time. Due to the nature of the school, Provian has pledged to meet KCC’s requirement to carry out the works with the minimum disruption and distraction and with consideration to construction in a manner that causes the least change to the school environment. It is anticipated that the project will be completed in 30 weeks.
As a leading main contractor in the South East, Provian has an extensive track record of delivering education projects. Working across all areas of education from early years and primary, through secondary and to higher and further education, Provian’s portfolio comprises a wide range of schemes. This includes small extensions and renovations, to major remodelling and creation of new facilities. The Orchard School scheme for KCC further reinforces Provian’s position as experts within the sector.