Education

NEW SCHOOL BUILDING PROVIDES LESSONS IN OVERCOMING PANDEMIC CHALLENGES

National lockdowns because of the pandemic were posing significant challenges to building projects when family-owned construction firm, Beard, began work in September 2020 on a new state-of-the-art senior school building at Crosfields, a leading co-educational independent school on the outskirts of Reading.

The need for enhanced safety measures and delays in the delivery of materials meant that numerous construction projects were impacted by delays. However, despite these difficulties, Beard finished construction in November 2021.

Beard achieved this by continually evolving and improving safety measures in accordance with the Government’s guidelines to ensure the site at Crosfields School could remain open and fully operational during this unprecedented situation.

The Beard team also found ways to deal with delays in deliveries of materials as a result of the impact of Brexit and COVID. For example, by working proactively with suppliers, Beard ensured that deliveries of the cross-laminated timber (CLT) arrived from Austria on schedule. This meant the impressive main structure of the senior school building could be completed on time, and work could begin on the roof. Close relationship with the client

One of the key aspects of this project was the close relationship with the client. Despite the need to overcome some hurdles created by pandemic restrictions, by working together and communicating openly, Beard delivered these exceptional new facilities in time for the children to start their new term.

The new senior school building at Crosfields was built in response to numerous requests from parents and students themselves for the school to expand and offer a complete education journey from nursery through to GCSE.

The school, which is set in 40 acres of grounds, prides itself on offering an ideal environment for enabling pupils to learn and develop, and had traditionally provided education for children from the age of three, up until they turned 13.

Extending education to children beyond year eight required an exceptional new senior school building in keeping with the existing school, which is made up of single- and doublestorey buildings set around courtyards and green spaces, with a pleasant, campus-like feel.

Forward-thinking and inclusive ethos

The new building continues the campus-like feel, integrating with the existing mature trees across the site and creating a new senior school courtyard with views across the town. It has been designed to make the most of the site’s hilltop position as well as reflecting the forward-thinking and inclusive ethos of the school.

It has a timber framework with a slanted roof and support struts, both of which are eyecatching features, and includes a front entrance, nine bright new classrooms, a staff area, medical centre, library, flexible performance space and a new cafe. The classrooms provide a light, airy space for teaching with underfloor heating, mechanical ventilation, wi-fi and a teaching wall with screen and storage for resources.

The school works closely with the community. It holds a charitable status, and is committed to reinvesting funds back into its facilities with recent projects including an artificial turf sports pitch, science labs, cricket pavilion, sports centre and a swimming pool.

This project fitted perfectly into the Beard ethos that buildings are spaces for living, working, playing, performing and connecting. There is no doubt that this will happen in the new building, with friendships being forged, personalities developed and experiences shared, while education takes place.  www.beardconstruction.co.uk