Thomas Sinden has completed the expansion of Kelmscott Primary School for Waltham Forest Council as part of their Basic Need Secondary Expansion Programme increasing the total number of pupil places from 900 to 1200. The scheme consisted of two phases:

– Extension to Kelmscott School at the front of the site, providing increased dining space, an Activity Studio and related WCs, storage and circulation wrapped around the schools existing amphitheatre.

– Alterations to the existing school providing; a science lab, a new computer studies lab, office, adjacent circulation area, a Graphics / Product Design studio and a staff preparation space.

The new build consisted of piled foundations, a suspended GF slab with gas membrane. The superstructure was a complex mix of structural steelwork and exposed Glulam beams built to a radius that mirrored the amphitheatre. The envelope contained faceted curtain walling with SBD sliding screens & brickwork.

As part of the Council’s commitment to tackling the Climate Emergency blue/green roofs are on both buildings to provide an area of native plant species to support pollinators and help improve air quality as well as helping with rain water storage.

The location within the school grounds created some logistical challenges, where our site haul road and main school entrance crossed each other.  We created a two way gated crossing point controlled by our gateman that worked exceptionally well.

The original selection criteria for the contract award was heavily focused to the quality section of our tender.  So it is very satisfying to note we didn’t disappoint! The School are thrilled with our performance and final product and the comments below are testimony to the quality of the works delivered and the great working relationship between all parties.

TS have been a pleasure to work with these past months. To deliver on such a high quality building programme during a global pandemic is nothing short of brilliant. TS really understood the challenges facing schools and were highly proactive in ensuring there were no issues.

Mr Sam Jones – Head Teacher, Kelmscott Primary School