Procured through our Major Projects Framework, Willmott Dixon has delivered three phases of work at a school in Melton Mowbray for Leicestershire County Council.
From initial construction and handover in 2010, to the most recent addition of a new block handed over in 2023, Willmott Dixon has helped the school to continue meeting the needs of local families, staff and students aged 11-16.
In 2010, they handed over the new, 800-place John Ferneley secondary school. The construction took place after the demolition of the old school building.
The new building achieved BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and received an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of ‘B’.
The design of the school was created to meet the very specific needs and strategies of the school. They wanted to create themed learning zones that were independent, but were still interlinked by a corridor running through the centre of the school.
The materials chosen for the project enabled a fast and high-quality construction, including a steel frame supporting precast planks. We were also able to reuse excavated materials from the old building's demolition to create sports pitches.
John Humphries, Construction Manager at Leicestershire County Council’s Property Services said:
“Without doubt the scheme will become a national benchmark in Education design and more importantly will provide stimulus to all who work within it."
Since 2010, we've returned to the school twice to provide students and staff with additional facilities through extensions to the campus.
In 2012 we handed over a 250 place extension to meet the overwhelming demand for places at the school. The extension comprised of a media arts hall, six classrooms, external hard play areas, landscaping and increasing the car parking and bus lay-bys available.
Most recently, in 2023, we have handed over a new block. The two-storey block consists of eight new classrooms - three computer labs and five general teaching classrooms. The building houses a new library, and we've also extended the dining and courtyard space, relocated the existing tennis courts, added additional car parking and installed electric vehicle charging bays.There is also a PV array on the roof to provide onsite, renewable energy that will help to power the new building.
This project is just one example of the longstanding and ongoing relationship in Leicestershire.
Over the course of 20 years, Willmott Dixon has delivered over 40 projects in the region, including the council's first ever net-zero in operation school, Hollycroft School.
Click here for more information on the Major Projects Framework.