BIRCHWOOD-based fit-out contractor Morris & Spottiswood has completed an extensive £1.2million refurbishment at Westlands Academy in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham.
Westlands is run by the Horizons Specialist Academy Trust and is a school for pupils who have social, emotional and behavoural difficulties. The trust received a grant from Education Funding Agency (EFA) to undertake the refurbishment.
Morris & Spottiswood managing director Jon Dunwell said the five-month project involved demolishing the east wing of the school, minus the exterior walls, and completely refurbishing it.
Mr Dunwell explained how the building has now been transformed into a modern base for the secondary school’s 70-plus pupils.
He said: “The project involved fitting a new roof and creating new classrooms as well as state-of-the-art cookery, art and science rooms. We also delivered a full package of mechanical and electrical (M & E) installations.
“The project was not without its challenges, as we had to complete the work while the pupils were in school. This meant working around their break times and when they arrived at school and left at the end of the day.
“From a health and safety perspective it was vital to keep the pupils safe – something that we were praised for by Ofsted inspectors who visited the school while we were there. We also did everything in our power to keep the noise to a minimum while the pupils were in class.
“The building we worked on, which makes up about half of the school, is now totally unrecognisable. It has a completely new layout with sweeping corridors and modern, well-equipped rooms.”
The project was managed and delivered by Morris & Spottiswood’s Warrington and Leeds offices, led by contract manager Kevin Harnick.
Westlands Academy Principal Pete Ewart said: “Westlands School has been in need of updating for several years, the positive impact that this will have for the young people who attend here will be tremendous.”
