Construction work for a new sixth form study centre at St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy in Bedlington is making significant progress. The school is operated by Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust (BBCET).
The new building will increase the school’s capacity from 140 to 200 sixth formers and is expected to cost £2.2m. It will include study areas, a common room, a cafe, and dedicated sixth form classrooms and will improve the visual amenity of the area as well as enhancing the quality of the education facility.
The award-winning Durham-based architect, Howarth Litchfield, was appointed as architect and interior designer after a competitive tender by project managers and cost consultants for the project, Thornton Firkin LLP. Brims Construction was also appointed based on its quality tender which was supported by extensive experience. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of March 2025.
Howarth Litchfield brings significant education sector experience to the project. It is one of two projects the practice is currently undertaking for BBCET, which operates thirty-nine primary and secondary schools in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
Howarth Litchfield director, Neil Turner, commented: “We were delighted to be appointed to this project, which allows us to draw on our extensive experience of education sector work. At St Benet Biscop, we have created a largely open plan sixth form area at ground floor level with café facilities planned and offices for teachers along with sixth form classrooms at the first floor.
“It is important that there is an area of the school set aside for exclusive use by sixth formers for private study and our new facilities will serve to both attract students from around the local area whilst providing a unique identity for students entering sixth form at the school.”
Richard Quigley, partner at Thornton-Firkin’s Newcastle office, said: “We have assembled a highly experienced team to undertake this work and are pleased to see that construction is well advanced and on programme.
“This is a live site, so we need to ensure that all health and safety measures are in place to provide the utmost safety for students, staff and members of the public. We have every confidence in the efficient site management that Brims is providing.”
Kevin Shepherd, headteacher at St Benet Biscop, commented: “I am delighted to see the progress that has been made and look forward to our new facilities being ready in a matter of months. The sixth form study centre will provide an enormous benefit in terms of recruiting new sixth form pupils as well as providing an enhanced working environment for St Benet Biscop teaching staff.
“Once the new building is complete, the current sixth form area will be used as teaching space for pupils across the school’s year groups, so the benefits of having additional sixth form space will be felt across the school.”
Construction has progressed up to first floor height and work is continuing with the high-level brickwork and scaffolding. Brims will also be installing photovoltaics on the roof area. In the new year, the superstructure and envelope work will continue with the fit out following on.
Other professional firms working on the sixth form project include civil and structural engineers,
JC-Consulting and mechanical and electrical engineers, Link MEP consulting.
