Option 2 in detail: Build more than 20 new classrooms across two sites: the existing site at Hitchmead Road and a site at London Road, Biggleswade. Plus, remodelling 12 classrooms into 6 larger classrooms.
What this option involves
This option would keep part of the school on Hitchmead Road and build new facilities at a second site on London Road, Biggleswade. The London Road site is a mile away from the Hitchmead Road site, so this would be a split school.
The London Road site includes what used to be Abbotsbury older person’s care home (demolished) and day centre (which are no longer in use), and the Biggleswade Centre. The Biggleswade Centre is currently still in use, offering a range of centre and community-based activities for people with a learning disability, including those who have profound and multiple learning disabilities (this is now sometimes known as profound intellectual and multiple disabilities). There is currently no formal plan for the Biggleswade Centre to change, and this would be subject to a separate consultation and decision-making process, which would add significantly to the timeline.
It includes:
- two new single-storey teaching blocks providing more than 20 new classrooms across the two sites
- quiet, calming spaces, group rooms, dining space (could be multi-use space) and toilets
- new hygiene facilities, extra staff rooms and hydrotherapy pool
- a new sports pitch and multi-use games area (MUGA)
- remodelling and refurbishment of the existing building (12 classrooms) to provide 6 larger classrooms and storage
- improved on-site parking and drop-off areas to reduce local highway congestion
- removal of all the existing temporary buildings
The images below give an indication of the possible footprint of the two sites. The diagram on the left is the existing Hitchmead Road site. The diagram on the right is the London Road site.
Cost: £44 million
When we expect the first pupils to be in new classrooms: Summer 2028
Estimated completion of all works: Winter 2029/30
Pros
- phased delivery means current pupils can use new facilities sooner
- the availability of additional land offers an advantage over option 1a because the work can be progressed while pupils remain in the school with less disruption and distraction through phasing of the construction work.
Cons
- this site is further away from the main school site (on Hitchmead Road) than the site in option 1b. The distance between the two sites creates increased complexity, running costs and build costs as some facilities and some staff may need to be duplicated in both buildings
- no clear educational or wellbeing benefit from splitting the school
- requires the Biggleswade Centre to be re-provided
- may cause disruption for staff and pupils moving between sites
- changes in levels on the site may cause operational difficulties in moving pupils around
Additional information
Running a school across both sites is feasible but has complexities to consider and would require careful planning.
Work will be phased to minimise disruption, so the proposal could be delivered while pupils remain in the school. The new block on the existing site will be built first, and the current pupils will remain in the existing facilities. Then the pupils will move into the new building whilst the remodelling and refurbishment of the existing buildings takes place.
Additional pupils will not be added to the school until all the refurbishment and remodelling works, including the new block on the London Road site are completed.
Although specific design elements would be determined at a later design stage, the work carried out to date shows that there is enough space for what’s needed, and there’s an initial cost estimate in place.
Read more about how we will work with the school and the contractors to minimise disruption to pupils during construction.