Wolverhampton primary school finalist in National Construction Industry award
Released: 14 October 2007
Wolverhampton’s first new primary school in 30 years is one of just two projects to reach this year’s national final of a prestigious construction industry award.
St. Jude’s CE Primary School in Paget Road has been nominated for the SCALA (Society of Chief Architects of Local Authorities) National Civic Building of the Year Competition by the city council.
The competition is the only one in the construction industry dedicated to rewarding excellence for design and construction in the public sector.
The results of the competition will be announced at the annual SCALA Conference Dinner in Glasgow at the beginning of next month Friday 2 November.
Cabinet Member for Schools, Councillor Christine Irvine, said: “We are delighted that all the partners’ hard work in creating the new St. Jude’s Primary School has been recognized in this way.
“To have reached national finalist stage shows that the project is a credit to the city and it would be fantastic to win”, she added.
St. Jude’s Head teacher, Cheryl Gould, echoed these sentiments, saying: “We are very proud of our new building. The whole school community was involved in the project through extensive consultation and a partnering agreement with the main contractors ensured that we have a building which meets the needs of learners and teachers.
“To be nominated for this award is a tribute to all who were involved in the project and the visionary support of the Local Authority. Diocese and the Governing Body”, she added.
St Jude’s CE Infant and St Jude’s CE Junior Schools formally merged to form St Jude’s CE Primary School at the beginning of September 2002. At that point the two schools were located on two sites half a mile apart in Riches Street and Paget Road.
Wolverhampton City Council approved a £5 million funding package in order to bring the school together on one site at Paget Road and the process to make that happen began in consultation with the school.
Baart Harries Newall of Shrewsbury was selected as lead consultant architect for the project and Thomas Vale Construction of Worcestershire as main contractor. Project officer for the scheme was Marc Webb.
The contract involved the building of a new two form entry Primary School and nursery along with all external works, as well as the demolition of the existing Junior School building.
The phasing of these works allowed both school sites to function while construction of the new school building was undertaken.
With a total contract period of 81 weeks, the project was successfully completed at the beginning of September last year.
Then Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Alan Johnson MP, unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the completion of work on the new premises during an official ceremony in November and said at the time: “The way this school has been built is through partnership and we ought to try to make sure that this happens on every occasion, so that staff and governors are involved in the design of every new school”.
Issued by the press office.