St. Mary’s RC Primary School – Redevelopment (LCVAP-funding)

To meet the ever-changing requirements of learning spaces at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Tilbury, M+C were appointed to redevelop and extend the existing infants block, providing new classrooms as well as resource areas and toilet facilities.

Due to the existing construction, extensive structural surveys were required prior to the design phase. The existing building was had been constructed on a raft foundation, necessitating a lightweight timber frame solution to avoid placing undue stresses on the foundations.

With a suitable design completed, M+C worked with the school’s management team and were successful in obtaining over 35% of the costs of the construction through LCVAP-funding.

The alterations to the building included a complete remodelling of the entrance foyer and main corridor, with a significant extension to the side elevation to accommodate a new staircase to the first floor, along with a new boiler room to enclose a new uprated, energy-efficient heating and water system.

On the first floor, three new classrooms were created, beneath a pitched ‘flat-finish‘ roof with northlight detail to provide high levels of natural daylight in all of the teaching spaces. Daylight- sensing light systems were also installed along with PIR sensors in order to both maximise the energy efficiency, but also ensure that the correct lighting levels are achieved to create optimal teaching conditions. The existing ground floor teaching spaces were also totally refurbished.

To ensure the works did not hinder teaching, classes were decamped in to temporary accommodation. Through the phasing of works, and improvements to the overall programme, the ground floor classrooms were completed one month ahead of schedule saving significant costs in the temporary accommodation.