Morgan Sindall has completed a £14.6m expansion project at Cromwell Community College, in Cambridgeshire
The two-year Cromwell Community College expansion project was delivered during the Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020 and 2021.
Morgan Sindall worked alongside Cambridgeshire County Council on the project in Chatteris, which will be run by The Active Learning Trust.
The new college is the first school to be county-funded by the council to provide education from ages four to 18-years old, in order to meet the growing demand for student places with high-end educational facilities.
Cromwell Community College was renovated to include a state-of-the-art performing arts theatre, new art facilities, food technology kitchens, a reception area, and an all-weather sports pitch, which is also available to the surrounding community.
In addition, the college also benefits from a new pre-school, accommodation for 210 primary-aged children, and additional secondary teaching classrooms.
The works also included a full internal renovation to the existing main college site as well as new play areas and landscaping.
Amidst the 2020 national lockdown, the build began to encounter challenges such as staff shortages, disrupted schedules, and supply chain shortages.
Despite this, the Cromwell Community College expansion project was successfully delivered on time in June 2021, ahead of the next academic year.
In addition to this, the construction of the project saw 17 direct beneficiaries from the local area, 24% of which were apprentices, and 18% were employed full-time.
‘First-class educational facilities’
Jamie Shearman, Cambridge area director for Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “The last two years of working and learning from home has shown us the importance of high-quality learning environments on children’s educational development.
“It is great to see young people, teachers and staff moving into their new space this academic year and reaping the rewards of this extensively upgraded college.
“The build encountered a range of challenges due to it being delivered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to our extensive experience in delivering first-class educational facilities, the team were able to adapt and overcome the problems they faced.
“We have formed a close relationship with The Active Learning Trust, Cambridgeshire County Council and the rest of our project partners during the development of Cromwell Community College, and together we are proud of the positive social value we have created in the local area.”
‘A tremendous landmark for Cromwell Community College’
Jane Horn, headteacher at Cromwell Community College, part of The Active Learning Trust, commented: “This is a tremendous landmark for Cromwell Community College and we have a lovely new primary provision building on the site and a host of fantastic facilities.
“We have an expanded college site to be proud of and one which will serve our community well into the 21st century.
“The professional approach and close working relationships developed with those at Morgan Sindall Construction undoubtedly was a key factor in the success of the project.”
‘Deliver an all through education provision’
Vikki Spittles, education capital project officer at Cambridgeshire County Council, added: “Morgan Sindall Construction have worked really hard to deliver an excellent project in very difficult circumstances.
“The relationship that Morgan Sindall has built up with the school helped drive the project to its success, ensuring that all the finer details were worked through with the school.
“Cromwell are now able to deliver an all through education provision in accommodation that has been designed, and delivered, by a professional project team.”
