Willmott Dixon starts on site at £9.8 million Loughborough school extension and refurbishment

Willmott Dixon has commenced construction works on a multi-phase modular extension and refurbishment project at Iveshead School in Shepshed, Loughborough to accommodate new housing growth across the region.The project, which was procured through the SCAPE Major Works Framework, is being funded by Leicestershire County Council and designed by CPMG Architects. It will bring the existing Iveshead Secondary School together into a single building while relocating St Botolph’s Church of England Primary School to the former Shepshed High School building.The contractor, who has extensive experience working on live school campuses, will ensure each phase of the project is delivered safely and seamlessly to the agreed timescales, ensuring minimal disruption to nearby pupils and staff.Due to complete in early 2022, Iveshead Secondary School will benefit from a full refurbishment, six-classroom extension, the creation of a school foyer entrance, outdoor canopy and hard play areas, staff and student cycle spaces, and new and enhanced pathways and external landscaping works. The former Shepshed High School building will then be refurbished to make its facilities suitable for younger pupils and the existing St Botolph’s Church of England Primary School will be demolished.As part of the project, Willmott Dixon will be delivering the equivalent of £490,000 social return on investment back into the local community through careers enrichment programmes and site visits, employability workshops and work experience for local students. In line with their newly launched 2030 ‘Now or Never’ Sustainability Strategy, the contractor will also be creating opportunities for Leicestershire-based SMEs or voluntary, community and social enterprises through local spend, expert business advice, equipment and resource donation. The development will also see 40% local labour and spend within 20 miles of the site.This project is the latest in Willmott Dixon’s proud history of delivering vital education projects in Leicestershire. In Ashby de-la Zouch, the team are currently delivering a £5.5m contract to build Holywell Spring Farm Primary School, which once complete will create 210 much-needed school places within the local community.