Work starts on new teaching facilities for historic state school

Kier has announced that it has started work on delivering new, purpose-built teaching facilities to Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire – one of the oldest state schools in the country.

The school’s existing campus-style site will be enhanced by removing a number of older buildings and replacing these with a single three-storey teaching block and a separate activity studio.

The new three-storey block will include various teaching spaces and is designed to support the school’s goal of being net zero carbon in operation. PV panels on the roof, enhanced insulation levels, ground-source and air-source heat pumps will help the school achieve its sustainability goals and reduce operating costs.

In addition, an existing single-storey block will be refurbished, with extensions added to enhance the school’s sixth form facilities and to provide a bespoke area for the Special Educational Needs department.

Externally, a new central courtyard will be built, providing additional seating and a performance stage. The parking area will be remodelled and an existing Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) is being moved and replaced.

The project was procured through the Department for Education (DfE) CF17 Framework, and work is expected to finish in Spring 2025.