Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy, Derby
Background
St Benedict, which is located in the Darley Abbey district of Derby, was established in 1986, and today has around 1,500 pupils. St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust and Derby City Council recognised a need to upgrade the school’s facilities to accommodate the surge in the population of children going into Year 7 in recent years.
Brief
To bring the science department together into one high-tech location. Previously the department was scattered across several classrooms around the school site.
Solution
Algeco UK worked closely on the state-of-the-art science block, M Block, with Watson Batty Architects, and Entrust, which provided educational consultant services.
We worked collaboratively to develop a solution that accommodated pupils from 12 classrooms within a standalone two-storey structure. There are now a dozen bespoke laboratories, each fitted with an interactive whiteboard and specialist prep room. There is also an extensive glass area within each lab that has been specifically designed to make sure as much natural light as possible streams into each classroom.
Algeco UK prioritised environmental and sustainability considerations throughout this project. This was a low-carbon build, with the Algeco-designed modular solution delivering significant reductions in both operational and embodied carbon of up to 70%. This was due to design considerations and materials selection, as well as our green manufacturing efficiency – additional sustainability and low-carbon benefits were delivered through the use of solar PV, recycled materials and extensive insulation.
All of the design and manufacturing processes implemented for this build were focused on minimising waste and reducing energy consumption, reinforcing our commitment to protecting the environment and working towards Algeco UK’s net zero goal in the process.
Relationship during defects
We had a fantastic working relationship with the Academy, and it’s been a pleasure for the Algeco UK team and our subcontractors to be involved with this project from start to finish. Any defects that were encountered were handled by the appropriate contractor effectively and efficiently. Meanwhile, overall project feedback has been very good – scores of either 9 or 10.
Feedback
Headteacher Hazel Boyce said: “The new science block is incredible and a much-needed improvement at Saint Benedict. To have the whole department all together under one roof is a dream come true.
“The benefit to our pupils is going to be immense, and their delight at the new block is a joy to behold! The innovative design of the building coupled with the wide expanse of glass in all of the labs makes it a beautiful environment in which to learn.”
Dr Mala Mistry, Director of Learning, Science at Saint Benedict, added: “At last, the science department is together in our new science block! M Block contains 12 bespoke laboratories; each fitted with an interactive whiteboard and specialist prep rooms aimed at ensuring our science teachers are able to deliver the already robust curriculum in new and innovative ways.”
