New Wokingham Addington Special School set to be built in one go
Wokingham Borough Council is considering a new single-phased approach to delivering the brand new, state-of-the-art Addington Special School rather than in two phases as originally envisaged. It is also set to allocate additional government grant to the Addington project to address further costs which have been identified through the construction tendering process as well as previously unfunded elements of the scheme.
At its meeting on Thursday September 27, Wokingham council’s decision-making executive will consider a report that could deliver the whole school project within a similar timescale as phase one was originally predicted and meet the additional costs that have been identified.
Executive member for children’s services Wokingham Cllr Frank Browne said: “Whilst I am disappointed that the total cost of the scheme is higher than the budget previously approved by the executive, the final £13.5million cost has been guaranteed by our contractor and includes additional benefits such as a new hi-tech sprinkler system and full-fitting out costs.
“The council is committed to this flagship project that will improve the educational chances for some of the most vulnerable children in our society and demonstrates our commitment to the national Every Disabled Child Matters objectives. I passionately believe in this project which could now be delivered in its entirety by winter 2008-09 – some five years before the original second phase was envisaged to have been completed.
“And building the school in a single phase will help to alleviate disruption to both Addington and Bulmershe pupils and to the wider community around The Bulmershe School.
Addington headteacher Liz Meek said: “The news of this possibility is absolutely fantastic as it means that all the Addington pupils will have their new school at the same time instead of in two phases. This will mean that all the pupils will have access to appropriate facilities enabling us to enrich the curriculum from the very first day.
“We are delighted that the council is supporting additional funding to allow us to realize our whole vision and raise the quality of provision for everyone with minimum disruption.”
At its meeting on Thursday September 27, Wokingham council’s decision-making executive will consider a report that could deliver the whole school project within a similar timescale as phase one was originally predicted and meet the additional costs that have been identified.
Executive member for children’s services Wokingham Cllr Frank Browne said: “Whilst I am disappointed that the total cost of the scheme is higher than the budget previously approved by the executive, the final £13.5million cost has been guaranteed by our contractor and includes additional benefits such as a new hi-tech sprinkler system and full-fitting out costs.
“The council is committed to this flagship project that will improve the educational chances for some of the most vulnerable children in our society and demonstrates our commitment to the national Every Disabled Child Matters objectives. I passionately believe in this project which could now be delivered in its entirety by winter 2008-09 – some five years before the original second phase was envisaged to have been completed.
“And building the school in a single phase will help to alleviate disruption to both Addington and Bulmershe pupils and to the wider community around The Bulmershe School.
Addington headteacher Liz Meek said: “The news of this possibility is absolutely fantastic as it means that all the Addington pupils will have their new school at the same time instead of in two phases. This will mean that all the pupils will have access to appropriate facilities enabling us to enrich the curriculum from the very first day.
“We are delighted that the council is supporting additional funding to allow us to realize our whole vision and raise the quality of provision for everyone with minimum disruption.”
Wokingham Borough Council
<< Home