Alpha Plus appoints BAM to extend Hilden Grange School in Tonbridge

The contractor was chosen for the £4 million design and build contract by the Alpha Plus Group, which is investing heavily in this premier prep school in order to meet the current expectations of future pupils and offer much improved facilities replacing old temporary buildings.

BAM will construct a three-storey school building in the form of two wings located at the back of the existing school, set into a north facing sloping site. The building will feature a cross-laminated timber frame, larch boarding and cedar-clad walling. The east wing extension has a ‘green roof’ area softening the building into its setting using native planting. The contract includes external works such as play areas and creating a multi-use games pitch.

BAM has appointed Daniel Brenchley as project manager, and it has just commenced the construction phase of the project and will complete works in time for the 2012/13 school year.

Mr Brenchley said: ‘The school is designed with learning and play in mind for the various tiered age groups and uses natural materials to keep in touch with its surroundings. The building is very environmentally friendly being mostly timber construction and from sustainable sources. We are delivering this project in a live school environment on a very tight site and we have paid attention to this critical element of the project by routing the students away from the construction activities.’

Richard Jones, Property Director of Alpha Plus Group, said: ‘This is an innovative building that will transform the school. The new building will provide a spacious, modern teaching space befitting the high quality education received by Hilden Grange pupils. The project consists of a playground, new teaching spaces for nursery and reception and years 1-5. The new facilities include science labs, an art and design area, a library, a learning support area and a dining hall. The existing school hall will be retained as a dedicated sports facility. The temporary classrooms will be replaced by the new buildings. The layout of the main school building – the large Victorian House – will alter internally to provide further classroom space, but there will be no external changes.’