Brims Construction was appointed by Witherslack Group in March 2020 to construct a single storey school building comprising 6 classrooms, canteen & kitchen, 2 new sensory rooms and associated facilities together with an additional 22 car park spaces, attenuation tank, drainage, fencing and landscaping.
Ashbrooke School is a co-educational, specialist day school, providing high quality education for boys and girls. Based in Sunderland, the school meets the needs of a diverse group of pupils who have a range of social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, complex educational needs, communication difficulties and challenging behaviours. The school building and grounds offer so much opportunity for the young people who attend to develop skills and experiences in a wide range of areas.
As the new build was to be developed within an existing brown field, it was carefully designed to have a minimal impact of historical and architectural surroundings, while permitting maximum use of the available space and access points.
The existing school building continued to operate at full capacity outside of the site boundary. As main contractor one of our main responsibilities was to minimise any noise, dust or services disruptions. During the construction period we ensured all works were segregated from staff and pupils alike with viewing areas installed for the pupils to observe the construction progress. Other works were programmed to work out of hours or during school holidays to minimum disruption to the pupils.
As part of the development, Landscape works ensured the retention of most of the boundary planting and an introduction of a new forest school, meadow field, ampertheatre sitting area within the landscaped areas to reduce the site carbon footprint. Habitat and nature areas were retained and supplemented (using native species) to provide ecological habitats including bat boxes hedgehog crossing area & bird porches installed within the existing woodlands. Canopied cycle and scooter parking was provided adjacent to the main entrance and a designated footpath installed.