Two Bedford Schools completed creating 1,740 new school places
Accelerating educational development, work on two new schools with an emphasis on sustainability, has completed in Bedfordshire, delivering space for up to 1,740 pupils within a growing local community.
Willow Grove Primary School and Wixams Academy form part of an ambitious £100m schools development initiative in Bedford, which is being led by Pick Everard via Perfect Circle.
Wixams Academy has been extended to cater for an additional 900 students as part of a £34m project, with the creation of a three-storey teaching block, eight classroom modular block, all-weather sports pitch, and sports hall.
The Academy also received a £250,000 grant from the England Cricket Board (ECB) to enhance its facilities per ECB standards and make the sport accessible to all pupils. The new enhancements include upgraded lighting, flooring, netting, and bowling machines.
Meanwhile, Willow Grove Primary School, designed according to Department for Education (DfE) guidelines, is net zero carbon in operation and has space for 840 pupils across a 3.4 hectare site.
Pick Everard, operating via Perfect Circle, was appointed by Bedford Borough Council under the SCAPE Consultancy framework and delivered project management, quantity surveying, NEC supervisor, and principal designer services on the two projects, working closely alongside principal contractor Willmott Dixon.
Wixhams Academy | Image courtesy of Quintessential Photography
“This has been a fantastic project to be part of and a great opportunity to deliver more school spaces for young people in Bedford.
“Wixams Academy in particular now has some industry-leading sports facilities, while Willow Grove Primary School is an exciting new space for younger children to take their early pathways into education.
“We look forward to both environments becoming cornerstones of the Wixams community.”
Claire Peacock, senior project manager at Pick Everard
Sustainability was a key development objective for both schools, with designated cycle parking spaces and facilities encouraging green travel habits.
More than 400 solar panels were installed on the roof of Willow Grove Primary School, helping generate its own renewable energy.
Willow Grove Primary School | Image courtesy of Quintessential Photography
“These are exciting times in Bedford, which like most places across the country, is striving to meet the demands of an ever-growing population.
“With modern and accessible teaching environments housed in a sustainable, high-quality build, both of these schools set the standard in creating lasting legacies in their communities.
“It's been a huge positive to see all this achieved within a short period of time, with families now able to benefit from new and expanded schools close to their homes.”
Sean Conneely, director at Pick Everard
“Wixams is continuing to grow into a thriving community, with these new state-of-the-art facilities being an illustration of the bright future which awaits the young people who will grow up here.
“Across Bedford Borough, we’re determined to invest in the future, build up and support our communities. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton
