Work to start on Pembroke learning campus

The contract for the first stage of construction of the new Pembroke Learning Campus has been awarded to contractor Bouygues UK following approval by the Welsh Government of the Full Business Case for the project.

The development is part of an overall planned £42.9 million investment for the Pembroke Learning Campus and is the largest school project undertaken by Pembrokeshire County Council to date.

The first phase will consist of a new 1,463 place 11-18 secondary school and autism centre for 30 learners.

Construction work on the new school will commence this month, with an opening date of September, 2018.

Work will then be undertaken to demolish the old school and form the new external areas, with all work scheduled for completion by May, 2019.

The scheme is part of a significant programme of investment being planned by the Council as part of their £149 million 21st Century Schools Capital Programme, with the Council having gone through a rigorous five case business case process in order to gain approval for 50 per cent match funding by the Welsh Government.

County Councillor Sue Perkins, Cabinet Member for Education and Safeguarding, said: “The 21st Century Schools and Education Programme is a major, long-term and strategic capital investment programme, supported by funding from Welsh Government, with significant funding commitment from the Council.

“The Pembroke Learning Campus project is a unique opportunity to provide a new school, to create a learning environment designed to improve the delivery of education in the 21st Century.”

Pembroke School head teacher, Frank Ciccotti, said “The governors and staff are delighted that the contract has been issued and so the work on delivering Phase 1 of the Pembroke Learning Campus is finally underway after four years of detailed planning.

“In my interactions with Bouygues UK, it is clear that they are highly experienced in building schools and they have a good appreciation of the complexities of working on a live school site. I am confident that we will develop a close working relationship to deliver this important project.”

Bouygues UK’s Regional Managing Director, Chris Stevens, added: “We’re excited to be working on the new Pembroke Learning Campus – it will be a fantastic new educational facility for local schoolchildren   and builds on the council’s commitment to improving schools, providing modern learning environments for the benefit of children for generations to come.

“We’re also happy to continue our association with the 21st Century Schools Programme which is revitalising education throughout Wales and through which we have delivered several award-winning schools.”

Also involved in the project is local property and construction consultancy, Gleeds, which has been appointed through the South West Wales Consultancy Framework. Gleeds is responsible for providing cost and project management services.

Gleeds Director, Simon Williams, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the new Pembroke Learning Campus delivery team. Gleeds will be working closely with Pembrokeshire County Council and the wider project team to create an inspirational and versatile learning space, to accommodate the school’s breadth and range of educational services.”

As well as the economic benefits this project will bring to the region, the project will also deliver community benefits to the area during the construction of the project in line with the Authority and Bouygues UK Community Benefits plan for the delivery of the Learning Campus.

Phase 2 of the Pembroke Learning Campus comprises of a new Vocational Centre, which, if approved, will provide a joint initiative between Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire College to provide a unique learning environment.

Caption
An artist’s impression of the Pembroke Learning Campus.