Summary of Feasibility Report

On

Roby Park Primary and Park View Primary

Background

The Corporate Asset Management team were asked to produce a Feasibility Report

on Roby Park Primary and Park View Primary, to see which site best fits the

requirements for a 2 Forms of Entry primary school.

Roby Park Primary is situated on a large site with extensive playing fields. The

Building has been rewired and had new windows installed in recent years.

Park View Primary is situated on a site with no grassed playing fields but has large

Hard Play Areas. The Building has been rewired and had sections of new roofing

and windows installed in recent years.

Officers from the Corporate Asset Management Team visited both Roby Park, and

Park View on the 20 July 2011. This visit enabled the Officers to assess individual

areas and structure against the DfE requirements.

Requirements for a Two Form of Entry School

Two forms of entry school require:

Building

14 classrooms of an average size (60m2) 822m2

1 (or 1 Large and 1 small) Assembly Hall totalling 226m2

Staff and Admin areas totalling 114m2

Learning Resources (Inc. Library and SEN areas) totalling 78m2 and

Storage totalling 150m2

Site

Pitches (Team Games) 8,400m2

Hard Surface Games Courts at 1,440m2 and Hard Surface Informal & Social

at 1,030m2 (these areas can be combined)

The site should be between 17,320m2 and 17,300m2

Figures above are taken from Building Bulletin 99 Minimum Standards

Roby Park

Roby Park currently has the following areas

Building

12 Classrooms totalling 654.24m2 (average size 60m2) – 2 classrooms and

227.76m2 short of the standards

Assembly hall measuring 204.08m2 – 21.92m2 short of the standards

Staff and Admin totalling 65.48m2 – 48.52m2 short of the standards

Learning Resources totalling 51.9m2 – 26.1m2 short of the standards

Storage totalling 70.66m2 – 79.34m2 short of the standards

Private Nursery 111.76m2

Site

Pitches (Team Games) measuring 22,650m2 – 14,250m2 over the standards

Hard Surface Games Courts and Hard Surface Informal & Social totalling

2470m2 (combined) – 687m2 short of the standards

The total site is 35,220m2 – 15,920m2 over the upper standard

Car parking – Limited Car Parking for current staff levels

Park View

Park View currently has the following areas

Building

14 Classrooms totalling 724.21m2 (average size 45m2) – 97.79m2 short of

the standards

Assembly hall & Gym totalling 289.42m2 – 63.42m2 over of the standards

Staff and Admin totalling 174.1m2 – 60.1m2 over of the standards

Learning Resources totalling 249.7m2 – 171.7m2m2 over of the standards

Storage totalling 107.61m2 – 42.39m2 short of the standards

Swimming pool

Dining Hall Block with Community Rooms

NNI Building

Site

Pitches (Team Games) measuring 0m2 – 8,400m2 short the standards

Hard Surface Games Courts and Hard Surface Informal & Social totalling

4,582m2 (combined) – 2,112m2 over of the standards

The total site is 15,970m2 – 3,330m2 short of the upper standard

Car parking – Limited Car Parking for current staff levels

Proposed Schemes

Roby Park (Appendix A)

It is envisaged that the east side of the building could remain unchanged (currently

has 8 classrooms) with internal remodelling undertaken to the west side (nursery

side).The remodelling would create 3 classrooms at approximately 66m2 each and

a 4th classroom could be created by a new build extension of approximately 66m2.

The total area to be remodelled would be approximately 200m2 (excluding the

nursery area). A further 2 classrooms would be required and it is proposed that a

double temporary classroom be utilised on the east side of the site. This would give

a total provision of 14 classrooms.

To address the shortfall of staff and admin areas, a modular building solution could

be utilised behind the main entrance area. This would need to be approximately

114m2.

The area of the building to be re-modelled would need to be taken out of school use

whilst the works were carried out, potentially including the Nursery area depending

on the extent of works. The area would need to be physically segregated and a

temporary perimeter fence erected around the proposed extension area. An area

would also be required for a contractor’s compound. It is envisaged that depending

on the extent of work required the area could be out of school use for approximately

20 weeks. This could possibly be reduced if an alternative to the new build extension

was chosen. A single temporary classroom could be utilised so the school could

remain operational whilst the works were being carried out. Control of building work

during school hours would be needed, specifically with regard to noise levels,

however it is envisaged that because of the layout of site, a solution could be

developed which would allow works to be carried out without causing disruption to

the school.

Areas of hard play area would be out of use whilst the works are carried out,

therefore additional hard play areas could be created adjacent to the existing prior to

the main building works commencing. This would ensure that there is sufficient hard

play area available whilst the works are carried out and once complete will also

increase the overall hard play area to be in line with the requirements set out above.

Another issue to consider would be the future of the Private Nursery at the school. If

Roby Park was the chosen option, there would no longer be space for the private

nursery to operate at the school.

Park View (Appendix B)

It is envisaged that the north side of the building could remain unchanged

(Gymnasium and Assembly Hall side) together with the office area in the centre,

however extensive internal remodelling would be required to the remainder of the

building approx (1,200m2). This is due to the relatively small sized classrooms at an

average size of 45m2. Existing walls would need to be removed, which following a

site visit were deemed to be load bearing and replaced with steel supports and new

partition walls constructed to create larger classrooms in line with the requirements

above. Works would also be required to the electrics, heating and alarm systems in

these areas to suit the new configuration, together with new floor finishes and

decoration.

The reconfiguration of rooms would give a total of 13 classrooms, meaning an

additional classroom would be required. An option could be to build an extension

onto the existing staff room (room 064) and convert into a classroom. (The staff room

could be relocated to the existing classroom adjacent to the Assembly Hall). The

extension would need to be approximately 30m2, giving a total new room area of

64m2. An alternative solution would be utilising a single temporary classroom. Either

way, this would give the required total provision of 14 classrooms.

We believe that further development would also be required if the Car Park is

deemed to be too small. One option would be to move the car park and entrance to

the other side of the site/building. Works would be required to transform part of the

hard play area into a car park and a small extension (18m2) to create a new

entrance/foyer. The schools former car park could then be turned into a hard

Informal & Social area for the school.

For the school to remain operational whilst the works were ongoing the works would

have to be carried out in two phases, with one half of the teaching area vacated and

physically segregated at a time. It is envisaged that depending on the extent of work

required each area could be out of school use for approximately 15 weeks each

giving a total period of 30 weeks. It is envisaged that works would have to be carried

out during school hours to be completed within the above periods.

Other issues to consider would be the future of the Neighbourhood Nursery,

Swimming Pool and the newly refurbished Community Rooms in the Dining Hall

Block and Family Centre.

Conclusion

It is possible with a combination of reconfiguration of internal space and the

incorporation of new build extensions/modular buildings that both schools could be

made suitable for 2 form of entry.

Park View only requires a small amount of new build extension, however the amount

of internal remodelling required is extensive and would be to approximately 6 times

the area than what would be required at Roby Park. The area affected is spread

across the whole building at Park View, whereas at Roby Park it is limited to one

area which could be completely segregated from the remaining area of the school

whilst the works are ongoing. Physical segregation and keeping disruption to a

minimum at Park View would be much more difficult to achieve whilst the works were

ongoing. Please refer to SWOT analysis in Appendix C for further information.

When making a decision on which site to chose, the authority also needs to consider

the Department of Educations views on a possible future land disposal. In a Land

Disposal Application we have to include the background to how this site became

surplus to requirements. If Roby Park was to be disposed of, we would have to justify

choosing a site with no green playing fields over a site which has well over the

minimum standards. This may cause the department (DfE) to question the authority’s

judgement.

On the basis of the extensive works identified as being required from this feasibility

study at Park View together with the restricted site area, it would appear that in terms

of timescale, cost and potential disruption to pupils whilst works are ongoing, Roby

Park would appear to be best suited to be reconfigured to a 2 form of entry school.

This document was created by the KMBC Corporate Asset Management Team.

Appendix A – Roby Park Phasing Plan for required works

Appendix B – Park View Phasing Plan for required works

Appendix C – SWOT Analysis

Park View SWOT Analysis

Strength

Large Solid Building, which is in good condition

High levels of hard play areas, that can be used all year round

Opportunity

Develop a large solid building into a 21st Century Learning environment

Swimming Pool on site which is used by local schools and community

Has a number of 3rd Party Users – Family Centre, NNI,

Weakness

Small site with no grassed playing fields

Currently majority of classrooms around 45m2 to 50m2 (10 out of 14 Classrooms)

Higher cost scheme

School have extended Car Park a number time – Car Park very narrow

All walls identified for demolition are load bearing and would require steel beams for support

Swimming Pool Energy Costs are high

School buildings are in good condition, but on first inspection, the Swimming Pool looks like it requires more investment

Threat

Major works and a number of phases, could destabilise the running of the school.

Justifying disposing of a large site with playing fields and retaining a small school site

Roby Park SWOT Analysis

Strength

Large site with large Playing Fields

Only 3 Classrooms are between 40m2 and 45m2 (the remaining 8 classrooms are just under 60m2

Scheme to remodel and extend the school would be to the rear of the school while the school operates at the front of the school relatively unaffected

The majority of walls identified for demolition are not load bearing and wouldn’t require steel beams for support. This is a significant factor in reducing the cost of the scheme.

Opportunity

School could extend beyond 2FE and still manage to meet or exceed the DfE requirements

Weakness

Small building would need extending to meet the DfE requirements

School has no Swimming Pool

School will also require 1 Double Mobile Classroom to meet DfE requirements.

Teaching areas are 2 storey with no lift.

Threat

If this site is chosen could potentially need to relocate/rebuild NNI, Family Centre and Swimming Pool buildings

Need to relocate Private Nursery at School

Appendix D – Budget Cost Summary

The area of refurbishment / remodelling required at Park View is 1,200m2 compared

to 200m2 at Roby Park.

The new build extension areas / area of modular building required at Park View is

48m2 compared to 310m2 at Roby Park.

Modifications and extension to hard landscape areas is 700m2 at Park View

compared to 300m2 at Roby Park.

The changes/extension of the building at Roby Park could take place to the rear of

the school, while the school remains operational at the front. The changes required

at Park View are throughout the school (small classrooms) and would need to be

completed over a number of phases, which would cost more money and time to

complete and cause greater disruption to pupils.

The overall assessment of budget costs for the reconfiguration and modernisation of

the Park View site is £1.45m compared to £1.15m for the Roby Park site.

Budget costs were calculated by measuring the areas requiring remodelling and the

amount of new build at each site. The same rates were used for both sites to ensure

impartiality and were based on previous schemes undertaken.