Work has begun on site for the expansion of New Lubbesthorpe Primary School from 2FE to 3FE, increasing its capacity from 420 to 630 pupils. The milestone was marked by an official groundbreaking ceremony, with members of the project team, Local Councillors and the OWL Trust in attendance.

The school is at the heart of a large new community to the west of Leicester, created by the Drummond Estate, local landowners who have farmed the land for over 150 years. The aim was to create a sustainable, high-quality settlement providing new homes, jobs and infrastructure to accommodate population growth in the Leicester area. The school, which is part of the OWLS Academy Trust, sits adjacent to the recently completed Local Centre, and will be expanded to help meet the growing need for education provision in the area.

We have been involved in the development from the early master planning stage and was the Architect for the original school, completed in 2019. GSS has worked closely with The Drummond Estate Project Director Mather Jamie, Bentley Project Management, the OWLS Academy Trust, and Leicester County Council, to develop the expansion project to enhance the school and conserve the quality of the development. Davlyn Construction Ltd has been appointed to construct the scheme with GSS acting as Architect, Lead Designer and Principal Designer under CDM and Building Regulations.

The new single storey extension will be located to the rear of the existing school, providing 9 new classrooms for years 4- 6, breakout space and group rooms to support different forms of learning. External areas will be expanded providing a diverse range of outdoor play, sports, wildlife habitat and learning areas, and additional staff car parking to accommodate increased numbers.

Anna McTaggart, Project Partner at GSS, has expressed, ‘We are so pleased to continue working with the client and project team to develop New Lubbesthorpe Primary School, which has become such a key building within the new community. With construction now underway, we look forward to seeing our designs come to life, providing the school with facilities that will support its growth and longevity’.

Andrew Gaskin, Contracts Manager for Davlyn Construction Limited, commented ‘We are very pleased to have been awarded this prestige project and look forward to working closely with the Design Team and School while we grow our relationship with the Drummond Trust after recently completing the Local Centre. The new School Facility is another exciting project to be involved with on the New Lubbesthorpe Estate and with our educational sector experience and expertise we will ensure delivery of this project with minimum disruption to the school and the local community’.

We are working closely with the Drummond Estate, Project Director Mather Jamie, Bentley Project Management (who are both Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor), The OWLS Trust, Leicester County Council and Davlyn Construction Ltd, together with the wider project team, including design partners CPWP (MEP Consultant and BREEAM), Rodgers Leask (Civil and Structural Engineers) and Marrons (Planning Consultant).

We have extensive experience in the education sector and are currently delivering two new-build primary schools in Lichfield and Stafford, which will also support the growing need for education provision in new housing developments.