Darwin Group delivers new teaching block for Kendrick School

Modular construction specialist Darwin Group has delivered a brand-new teaching block for Kendrick School in Reading, scaling 930 sq m.

The new block will be known as ‘The Horizons Building’ and boasts a total of nine classrooms, a dining area and brand-new sports courts.

Darwin Group’s latest multi-use building will provide the school’s current and future students with enhanced teaching and learning facilities and was funded by Kendrick School’s successful application for a share of the £50m Selective School Expansion Fund (SSEF).

Introduced by former Prime Minister Theresa May, in the Spring of 2018, the fund allowed existing grammar schools to bid for money to increase student numbers.

Kendrick School is a high-achieving, selective girls’ grammar school founded in 1877 and its extension will allow the school to accommodate more local and disadvantaged children with the additional classroom space.

The offsite specialists’ skilled in-house team of designers, town planners, and construction professionals provide a unique turnkey service that covers all stages of design, planning and construction from start to finish.

Darwin Group also aims to create environments that minimise environmental impact and Kendrick School’s new building has achieved a ‘Good’ BREEAM rating. Builds rated ‘Good’ by BREEAM save on average 10% more CO₂ emissions.

Charles Pierce, Managing Director at Darwin Group, said: “The quality and longevity of the construction is at the heart of what we do and this is exemplified by the high-quality product we have been able to deliver for Kendrick School.

“We strive to deliver best-in-class educational builds and we’re pleased to be providing greater opportunities for the children of Reading with this new block of classrooms.

“My thanks must go to our in-house construction team, who were able to deliver and install this modular build smoothly and with minimal disruption. We wish the school the very best as it increases its student numbers and moves into its new facility”.

Ms Christine Kattirtzi, Headteacher of Kendrick School, said ‘’We are delighted with our new building; it was completed on time for our new expanded cohort of Year 7 students that arrived in September 2020. The building has also been a huge help to us in the difficult times of the pandemic giving us more space to keep our students COVID safe. I would like to sincerely thank all the staff of Darwin Group for their work and commitment to this significant project for Kendrick School.’’

Darwin Group is committed to the quality and longevity of its builds and offer financial payment plans and assist with funding applications to ensure client aspirations and budget constraints align.

For more information, visit: www.darwingroupltd.co.uk