A multi-million pound programme of refurbishments and upgrades is due to start at a South Gloucestershire secondary school shortly.

The investment at Marlwood School in Alveston, which will be overseen by the new Headteacher Seema Purewal, will include new classrooms for art, design technology and science as well as new student toilet areas.

The project forms part of an £18.1m refurbishment of The Castle School and Marlwood School which is jointly funded by the Castle School Education Trust (CSET) and South Gloucestershire Council. 

As well as improving the facilities, sustainability at the school will be addressed with the main building exterior benefitting from upgraded insulation to the roof with new glazing and a new efficient heating system added.

Headteacher Seema Purewal said: “We are delighted to be starting work on this important and much-needed project to upgrade our facilities and make our school more sustainable, which in turn will help us continue to serve our local community.

“The creation of new classrooms within the main building, which will be fully-resourced with new equipment, will be a huge advantage to our students’ learning and our science and design technology offering will become a strength of the school when complete.

“By closing the old buildings which previously housed these classrooms and making significant thermal improvements we are working towards low energy-use standards.

“We understand that there may be some disruption caused to students and the local community while we undertake the work, but we are committed to ensuring the project is completed as soon as possible and hope that the end result will outweigh the inconvenience.”

Marlwood School is part of CSET which offers high quality education across the primary, secondary and sixth form key stages at seven South Gloucestershire schools.

The school benefits from expansive grounds including tennis courts, astro pitch and a multi-purpose playing field which is all available for use or hire by the local community.

Will Roberts, chief executive of CSET, added: “This project enables us to replace temporary buildings, improve the condition and configuration of the school site and provide an inspiring learning environment for current students as well as future generations.”

The project is being managed by Burke Hunter Adams with Speller Metcalfe handling the construction. Sustainable architectural practice Quattro Design Architects designed the project and provided the CGI images. 

James Speller, pre-construction director for Speller Metcalfe said: “It is fantastic that we are now onto the construction phase of this scheme, making this project a reality for the students and staff at Marlwood School. Having completed many education projects over the years, we know first-hand what a positive impact this will have on the school and its local community.”

For more information about Marlwood School visit www.marlwood.com and for CSET visit www.cset.co.uk

Photo Credit: Quattro Design Architects Ltd