Uppingham Community College

Requirement

“I would absolutely recommend a modular build programme” was the comment from Steve Berridge, Site Manager at Uppingham Community College. The college received funding for new modular classrooms as part of the Academies Capital Maintenance Funding (ACMF) to replace old temporary prefabricated buildings via the Scape framework. Steve commented, “I knew what could be achieved with a modular building from my own research. I understood there would be cost savings due to the speed of build and the fact we would get more floor area for our money. A modular approach would also mean less on site disruption which is important to our busy school.”

After Wernick Buildings were suggested as the modular provider Steve visited some existing Wernick school buildings around the Slough area with one of their Architectural Technicians and was instantly impressed, “This gave us the ability to not only to see what was on offer but what could be adapted to suit our particular requirements”.

Wernick worked with Jefferson Sheard Architects who had produced initial concepts for the school to modularise their design for the new 600m2 teaching block. From start to completion the whole project length was just 17 weeks. It took six weeks to manufacture modules at Wernick’s specialist factory and a further 13 weeks on site from delivery. The finished building contains seven classrooms, a department room, a kitchen outlet and plenty of storage. The building is finished externally with a brick skirt, rendered walls with a truss and metal cladded roof.

With a tight budget to work to, Steve worked closely with Wernick’s building designers to maximise the new facility functions. Internally the building features folding partitions between classrooms, Venesta toilet cubicles, comfort cooling and large plateau rooflights to enhance foyer and hallway.

The use of space and light inside the building has received particular praise and pupils and staff are impressed by the open foyer and large hallway between classrooms. This was important for the school to get right as over 180 students leave simultaneously at the end of lessons.

Steve had a happy experience working with Wernick. He commented, “The Wernick team were very clear and focused from start to finish and well prepared to work at a busy school site. There were no unwanted surprises and they were flexible throughout.”