Work Underway on £3.7m Coventry School

G F Tomlinson, the Midlands based contractor, is progressing with the multimillion-pound expansion work at Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Coventry.

Working in partnership with Coventry City Council, the project involves constructing a new dining hall and refurbishing the existing buildings for optimised teaching spaces, 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 via Pagabo’s National Framework for Medium Work, this is the first scheme that G F Tomlinson has been awarded from this framework in its allocated region, which covers projects with a value of £1 million – £5 million in the West Midlands.

Due for completion in summer 2021, the scheme involves the recently completed refurbishment of the DaVinci Building – including science rooms fitted with new laboratory furniture, a technology room, storage rooms and the relocation of the IT technician’s office to an adjacent space.

The main scope of works, which is the construction of a new 400-student capacity dining hall, includes 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.

Andy Sewards, Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “This will be the first project to be completed under Pagabo’s National Framework for Medium Works, and we are delighted to be partnering with this framework partner and Coventry City Council, to deliver the expansion works and essential refurbishment for the school, to cater to the government’s vision of providing extra student spaces in the city.

“This is a very high-quality design and build, and once complete it will bring upgraded facilities to the school, allowing optimised teaching spaces and the space for a considerable increase of student places. We look forward to handing over the project ahead of the new school year in 2021.”

Emma Hesbrook, Regional Relationship Manager at Pagabo, added: “It’s fantastic to see work progressing well for G F Tomlinson on what is their first appointment through our Medium Works Framework. Despite the obvious challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, G F Tomlinson has continued to operate in a safe and secure manner, ensuring the school’s extension is ready for its summer 2021 opening.”

G F Tomlinson is delivering the project alongside SHA Architects, ABA Consulting as civil & structural engineers and Bennett Williams as building services consultants.

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