The Governors of Tonbridge Grammar School commissioned calfordseaden as employer's agent, quantity surveyor and CDM co-ordinator in the procurement and construction of a new teaching block and sports hall, plus remodelling of the existing school. Richard Bellord explains.

calfordseaden held negotiations between Tonbridge Grammar School, Kent County Council and Rydon Construction in 2004, whereby residential development land at the rear of the school was released to Rydon, in exchange for the school's temporary classrooms to be replaced with new facilities and refurbishment of part of the existing remaining school by the construction company.

This new three-storey classroom block and sports hall provides:

• 39 classrooms with storage, offices and resource rooms;  Disabled toilets on every floor;
• Lift access throughout the building; 
• A new indoor sports facility in place of the gymnasium, including drama and dance classrooms and changing room;
• Netball courts and tennis courts;
• 70 car parking spaces including seven for disabled use. 
   

In addition, the existing gymnasium is currently being converted into a dining hall and kitchen, which may also be used as a teaching hall or performance area. Work started on site in November 2007 and was completed on time and within budget. The new building was handed over to the school at the end of October 2009. The refurbishment of the 1905 building is currently ongoing, and should be ready for handover in May 2010.

"The new building is everything we wanted and hoped for. We are a school that accepts only the best and we're delighted that the building has been finished and fitted out to a very high standard. The co-operation between all parties involved has made the process so much easier. The whole school, pupils and teachers alike are very excited by the new facilities."
 

The project has been extremely well received and is set to become a model for similar schemes. Local residents, prospective parents and pupils have visited and feedback has been outstanding.

For further information contact:

Richard Bellord
at our Orpington office
T 01689 888222 
E rbellord@calfordseaden.co.uk