Dilkes Academy – New Class-Base

Dilkes Academy is a highly popular and successful school. A National Teaching School, and also an Academy Sponsor via the Catalyst Academies Trust, the school continually faces increasing demands To meet this demand, a new class-base was required to provide additional accommodation and allow a redistribution/ reduction in class numbers.

A traditional design was applied to the new construction, so as to fit with the existing look of the school, with external finishes matching the remainder of the school including a flat roof. The new class was designed to offer comfortable accommodation of 70m2 (an increase over current recommendations by around 40%) – allowing an element of future-proofing and allowing flexibility for future needs.

Incorporating the additional space in to the design allows for a completely open-plan arrangement with designated areas for wet activities and general teaching activities (including an interactive whiteboard system). The new class-base is a light, airy facility, with two elevations featuring large picture-windows (enabling a high degree of natural ventilation) and direct access to dedicated outdoor learning space.

The location of the new class-base also improves the overall layout of the school through bringing to life a largely redundant area. Undertaking the scheme has also meant that the adjacent staff wash-room facilities have be thoroughly modernised with improved appearance, ventilation and lighting throughout.

Work commenced in January 2014, with completion in mid-May that year. However through careful programme management and the dedication of the Main Contractor; Quadrillion Construction, the new class-base was handed over two weeks early, enabling the class to come in to full use for the summer term.