School Rebuild Program

December 2021

Earlier this year, Coundon Court was selected as one of the first 50 schools in England to receive funding under the Government’s School Rebuilding Programme (SRP). The funds will enable the selected schools to undertake major rebuilding and refurbishment work.

The primary objective is to upgrade the secondary school with modern, efficient buildings and landscaping, while creating a campus feel to the school site. Six buildings will be demolished and replaced with three new modern teaching blocks, featuring new teaching spaces, a sports hall and communal facilities.

An online public information event was held on Monday 13th December. Members of the project team and the school’s co-head teachers presented the thinking behind the plans and answered questions about construction and details of the proposals. You can watch a recording of the event and find out more about the plans below.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Campus

What is being proposed?

The proposed masterplan will give Coundon Court a campus feel and enhance the pupil and teacher experience, while also respecting our heritage buildings, neighbouring residents and the Green Belt.

Six existing “intergrid” blocks will be removed and replaced with three new modern teaching buildings, built to a maximum height of three storeys. The proposed buildings will not extend beyond the current footprint of the school site and will be no taller than the existing buildings.

Four of the existing teaching blocks, as well as the locally listed buildings, Old House and Coundon Court Lodge, will be retained and we have sought to improve the setting of these heritage assets and open up views of them within the site as part of the design process.

Parking and access

The existing pedestrian and vehicle entrance off Northbrook road will be retained and improved; and a new controlled vehicle access will be added on Hollyfast Road.

The two pedestrian entrances from the northern boundary will lead directly to an arrival plaza where visitors will enter the new school building through the main entrance, while pupils will enter through the secondary access gates.

The existing car parking capacity will be increased from 152 spaces to 165 spaces. This includes 18 EV charging points, 4 within the visitor parking area, and 14 within the staff car park. Existing cycle parking will be retained and relocated in covered and secured areas.

The New Buildings

Layout

The new school buildings will be carefully integrated into the existing site, responding to the retained and listed buildings to create a new open campus.  External areas have been designed to create a series of landscaped spaces for recreation and socialising and can be accessed directly from both the new and retained buildings.

Block 1 is the first building seen on approaching the school facing onto the entrance plaza. The main hall and library will be located within this building, along with office and small group rooms. Block 2 encloses the courtyard spaces from the west and includes a dining hall, design technology and ICT classrooms. The building is three storeys in height and is set back from the Old House to the North. New sports facilities, changing rooms, maths and science labs will be located in Block 3 situated to the south of the campus.

The new school buildings will be carefully integrated into the existing site, responding to the retained and listed buildings to create a new open campus.  External areas have been designed to create a series of landscaped spaces for recreation and socialising and can be accessed directly from both the new and retained buildings.

Block 1 is the first building seen on approaching the school facing onto the entrance plaza. The main hall and library will be located within this building, along with office and small group rooms. Block 2 encloses the courtyard spaces from the west and includes a dining hall, design technology and ICT classrooms. The building is three storeys in height and is set back from the Old House to the North. New sports facilities, changing rooms, maths and science labs will be located in Block 3 situated to the south of the campus.

Design

The proposed materials have been carefully considered to ensure the new buildings work with the existing, while respecting neighbouring properties.

Two complementary brick types and cladding will feature across the three buildings. This creates a balance between unifying the buildings and giving each one a sense of individuality.

Landscaping

A comprehensive landscape strategy will ensure the retention and protection of the majority of trees and introduce supplemental planting to enhance environmental quality and add visual amenity.

All playing fields and pitches will be retained and existing community use will continue unaffected. There will be some minor impact on designated playing fields over the construction period but the land affected will be restored following construction. The new facilities, including sports hall and changing rooms, will be available for public use outside of school hours.

Sustainability

In line with Government requirements, the Department for Education is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero across their estate by 2050.

The new school buildings will achieve Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCiO) and will exceed the requisite planning policy and building regulation standards.

Key NZCiO features include:

• Solar PV panelling for sustainable energy

• Air source heat pumps

• Rain gardens and sustainable drainage

• Landscaping enhancement

Construction

The proposals require redevelopment of the site to be undertaken whilst the school remains fully operational during construction. A comprehensive phasing plan will be put in place to ensure the continuation of teaching and provision of a safe environment for pupils and staff.

Temporary Construction Access

A temporary construction access road will be provided using the same route as that used for construction of the new teaching block in 2020.

A Construction Management Plan will be agreed with Coventry City Council as part of the planning application. This will provide full details of how the construction process, including access and vehicle movements, will be managed. It will also set out how environmental impacts (including noise and dust) will be controlled during building work.

Indicative Programme Dates:

• Planning Application Submission – December 2021

• Coventry City Council statutory consultation – January 2022

• Application determination – March/April 2022

• Commencement of works on Site – Q3 2022

• Completion of works – Summer 2025