Kier has been appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver the redevelopment of Oak Academy in Bournemouth. A new campus design for the 900-place secondary school will replace the existing buildings on site, have a more concise and efficient layout, and will provide a variety of learning spaces, including science and technology classrooms and improved facilities to cover sport, music, drama and SEND provision.
Kier has been involved with the planning and design of the project for more than a year already but has only now been formally confirmed as the main contractor. The company is committed to providing support to the school throughout the design, build, handover and post-occupancy phases to ensure that they derive the maximum benefit and most efficient operation from their new building.
The c. €32.7m project is designed to be net zero carbon in its operation, with air source heat pumps and a bio-solar roof with photovoltaic panels. The building has been designed using Kier’s kSchool design platform. The H-shaped layout centres around courtyards and an open dining space with glass walls. Facilities are configured to enable the assembly hall, sports hall and changing facilities to be used by the local community outside of school hours.
Mark Norris, operations director at Kier Construction London & Southern, said: “This innovative net zero carbon in operation project will combine improved facilities under one roof, making more efficient use of the site’s footprint and allow the school to increase its student and staff intake.”
Oak Academy is part of the Ambitions Academies Trust, a multi-academy trust serving schools in or close to the Bournemouth and Weymouth areas. The Trust’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Principal and Directors have been involved with the project from the start.
Sian Thomas, CEO of Ambitions Academies Trust commented: “We are excited that Oak Academy will have a new school with such superb facilities. Ensuring that future generations will have a great school in which to thrive is so important and means a lot to the whole community.”
The project is funded through the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme, which was announced in 2020, and is addressing either the rebuilding or major refurbishment of 500 schools.
