We deliver strategic property management and construction professional services to help education providers create environments that support learning for students of all ages. Our track record of delivering expansion, reconfiguration, refurbishment and new builds for Kent’s schools demonstrates our expertise for delivery.
Gen² were comissioned to provide project and contractor services for the provision of a singualr-storey modular classroom with full associated services, at Babington House School, Chislehurst.
The project involved site clearance of the designated area, the construction of a pad-stone foundation and the installation of the modular classroom, built and fabricated off-site.
Gen² worked closely with suppliers AV Danzer, and the school, to ensure the project was delivered successfully on budget and on time ready for the Autumn 2020 term start toa accomodate the much needed new teaching space.
Babington House School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 - 18 years.
Commissioned by our largest client, Gen² Property has played a key role in the development of Finberry Primary School, a transformation of the school split into two phases. In 2017, Gen² developed the 1‐form entry primary school into a school with a 2‐form entry infrastructure, facilitating the capacity to accommodate 210 pupils, a hall and external spaces. As of 2020, Gen² is presently carrying out Phase 2 of the project; the delivery of the 2FE school. This transformation will allow for the accommodation of a total of 420 pupils through the newly constructed 14 classrooms, a nursery area to accommodate 26 infants, and a Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision area.
The Stour Academy Trust uses Gen² as a trusted partner for our property services. Currently we are working on three exciting new school projects over 2019‐2021 valued in excess of £10m. Working alongside Gen² as a Project Management consultancy is always a pleasure ‐ they understand how schools work and want to achieve the best outcomes in terms of an exciting yet practical teaching environment for pupils to learn in. The team at Gen² are highly skilled, professional and always approachable.
Finberry Primary School is integrated within Finberry’s new community development; a newly constructed community estate comprised of 1,180 homes and retail units, restaurants and sports facilities. Gen²’s delivery of this new 2FE school will be one of the most considerable additions to this new village and is expected to be completed by August 2020. Finberry Primary School is a school under The Stour Academy Trust, serving to be another opportunity for Gen² to have been in partnership with the Trust, and another school in which Gen² has facilitated.
Gen² were commissioned to deliver the development of a new two‐form entry (2FE) primary school in Ashford’s largest development to date; Chilmington Green Estate and will be one of four schools serving the 5,750‐home development.
The 2FE development will become part of The Stour Academy Trust and will cater for 420 mainstream pupils, 26 nursery places and a Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) for up to 14 pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The £6.8 million development also includes on‐site parking for staff and visitors, complete with hard‐surface external play areas, sports fields and an ecology zone.
The Stour Academy Trust uses Gen² as a trusted partner for our property services. Currently we are working on three new school projects over 2019-2021 valued in excess of £10 million. Working alongside Gen² as a Project Management consultancy is always a pleasure - they understand how schools work and want to achieve the best outcomes in terms of an exciting yet practical teaching environment for pupils to learn in. The team at Gen² are highly skilled, professional and always approachable.
Gen² were commissioned to deliver a two-form entry (2FE) secondary expansion to Trinity School in Sevenoaks, Kent. This would take the school to a six-form entry by September 2019. Phase 2 of the project covered the main works, which delivered a three-storey new build extension to the current site.
From the outset, there were tight deadlines. The handover was required by the end of August 2019, ready for the 19-20 academic year, allowing approximately only 6 months of works before handover and completion.
To further accomodate the increased influx of students, there was also a need for an activity studi, drama studio, art studio, changing facilities, a seminar room and 12 standard classrooms. The Modular Solution that accomodated this was installed within 7 days, complete with 62 units via a 300-tonne crane.
28th August 2019 saw partial handover of the new build extension which allowed for sufficient accomodation of the increased students in the school to occupy the first and second floor of the new building. Practical completion of works was met by 2nd October 2019, concluding, all in all, a 31-week construction programme at a value of £9 million.
To accompany the 2FE expansion, Gen² were also appiointed to provide Project Management, Employer's Agent and Quanity Surveying services for the Design and Construction of a new chapel above the school reception at the entrance (value of £350,000). This would serve to create a religious space capable of accomodating Communion, prayer groups, workshops and community placements. Practical completion is expected to be me tby September 2020.
Appointed by one of our clients, Gen² successfully delivered the Construction works on site at the South Borough School in Maidstone, Kent to expand the school from a 1FE to a 2FE (two-form entry) school, and 210 pupils to 420, allowing for a greater pupil intake from areas further afield.
Completed in September 2017, the project was carefully designed and constructed, so that the building would match the surrounding buildings. The completed building features a 2-storey extension, to provid 6 new classrooms, additional circulation space, refurbishment of existing areas within the school, new break out areas, toilet facilities and a new plant room. The school incorporates environmentally sustainable features including a natural ventilation system, an energy efficient lift, underfloor heating and LED lighting.
We approached the scheme by working closely with a Structureal Insulated Panel manufacturer to explore the options of using this method of construction in order to reduce the length of the construction period.
We appointed Innovare as a MMC partner and utilised their Structural Insualtion Panel Systems (SIPS) in the construction process, so that a large part of construction was managed off-site. This syem consisted of pre-formed walls and floors which considerably reduced construction time.
To meet the bulding regulations required for the project, we used a Building Control tracker alongside the project programme. this tracker provided a coordinated and integrated schedule for all systems delivered, included those provided by third party contractors.
We worked closely with the Local Authority Building Control Officer at all stages of the project, from pre-commencement to handover with a key aspect of our working relationship being the invaluable communication and engagement between ourselves and the Building Control team. This close collaboration ensured timely notification was given to all parties so that the works could be completed correctly and efficiently, achieving quality levels of building regulation compliance at all times.
This project set out to deliver high levels of operational performance through the effective delivery of sustainable design principals, material choices and working practices. We utilised key sustainability techniques on the project which were achieved through the careful spec and purchase of materials.
The project was successfully handed over on-time and on-budget in September 2017, ready for the 2017-18 academic year. This handover was a key achievement as the 32-week construction programme was tight. This project owes its success to the excellent collaboration and communication between the projects team. With Gen² as the main contractor, a key factor in enabling us to successfully deliver the works was the extensive planning and consideration that went into construction delivery and strategy programme.
A school has been on this site for over 70 years, and as the college’s name suggests, it is located on an elevated site overlooking Dover Castle and the Coombe Valley.
Gen² were engaged to manage a building extension to provide space for the school to expand to two form entry; extending the number of Dover children that can access the outstanding education the College delivers.
OBJECTIVES
To expand the school to a two-form entry.
Dedicated outside areas for Reception and Nursery pupils to keep active and learn about the environment.
A kitchen able to provide all pupils with healthy and freshly cooked hot meals every day.
The project has been recognised as a finalist in the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Awards (KEiBA Awards) and a Health and Safety Award from The British Safety Council. The Site Foreman was recognised as the International Safety Champion of the Year for The British Safety Council.
“We’re over the moon with our new school space and delighted it has been recognised with so many awards too.”
Sue Fotheringham-Knight
Executive Head Teacher
This project has everything; construction savings, an environmentally sensitive design on a heritage site and lots of student and community engagement. I'm proud of the collaboration from the team that brought it all together.
The new two storey building comprises 6 classrooms (Reception, Y1 & Y2), a nursery, First Aid room and toilet facilities. The extension is linked by a hall/dining extension, including a new kitchen and servery.
A value-engineering exercise helped the team to reduce construction cost by £1.5 million without affecting the delivery timetable.
Our project manager and quantity surveyor worked with the contractor and architect to create a new design with the building set away from the hillside. This enabled a more efficient building footprint which dramatically cut the construction costs without affecting the delivery timetable.
The redesign meant construction started with an excavation of 9,000 m² of chalk to allow the new building to be set at the same level as the main School to provide inclusive access to all areas.
The new building has a green roof; intelligent lighting system; good insulation; energy efficient boilers help to lower emissions & CO2 levels.
The new larger commercial kitchen enables the school to supply healthy, freshly prepared meals to children; with a new dining area fit for purpose.
By building a collegiate relationship with the main contractor, Walker Construction, Gen² ran Health & Safety talks and a safety poster competition. The winning entries were displayed on the site’s hoarding.
On the outside, the project provides a new dedicated secure play area for Reception classes and covered play for the Nursery.
Assisted by the Dover Smart project, the contractor provided the space and materials for pupils, staff and local stakeholders to contribute to a mural. The mural has been sealed under the floor of the new extension for future generations.
We project managed a £3 million brand new two storey building with five classrooms, a commercial kitchen, dining hall, storage areas and toilet facilities.
OBJECTIVES
o To expand the school to a two-form entry.
o A large outside area for pupils to keep active and learn about the environment.
o A kitchen that provides pupils with freshly cooked hot meals every day.
The school extension in Sherrness, Kent has delivered an additional 699 m² of space to provide capacity for the school to offer more spaces to local children. An extra thirty school places will now be available every year starting from September 2017.
We’re delighted with the end product and our school will be a jewel in the KCC estate crown for many years to come.
The site provides a new social setting for students and supports better learning outcomes.
The minimum requirement for the new two story building at Rose Street Primary at inception was for five new classrooms; what has been built is an iconic education centre with modern classrooms, a kitchen delivering fresh, hot meals and above all, a new social setting for students.
With a canopy connecting the new and existing sites, the smart new, modern kitchen can serve the new and current dining areas, removing the need for meals to be shipped in and reheated. That is adding an improved dining experience to support better learning outcomes, and modest cost savings.
During their recent Ofsted inspection children told the inspection team "We now have a new building to learn in and the dining room has meant that we have more space and time to eat and chat with our friends."
Reconfiguration of the main car park has enabled space for a soft play area for the Year One and a multi-use games area to create a versatile sports facility that can be used for a range of activities.
Built from modern durable materials, the building will weather well and blend into its local community environment.
To help this specialist SEN school meet demand from local families we created extra classroom capacity on a satellite site.
Objectives
Expand the satellite teaching provision at Holmesdale Technology College for Five Acre Wood School to accommodate pressure on special school places within Kent
Manage the internal refurbishment and adaptations to provide a common room, two additional classrooms, staff spaces, toilets, changing space and improved workspace for staff
Provide Special School facilities to current curriculum requirements, within the existing Five Acre Wood Site and Holmesdale School and provide sustainable building for future use
The school covers an age range of 4 – 19 years and is all of its pupils and students have a Statement of Educational Needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan.
The student population has over 300 pupils representing a wide range of additional educational needs within the profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, complex needs, sensory impairments and autistic spectrum.
The project and works carried out at The Holmesdale School for Five Acre Wood were very well managed by Emily Stapley our dedicated project manager.
Gen² delivered pupil-centred facilities to optimise learning for SEN students
We managed the development of a satellite site at Holmesdale Technology College to enable Five Acre Wood School to expand and offer more support for pupils in the local community.
To create the extra capacity needed, we replaced two units with a new, four class building. We carried out an internal refurbishment and adaptations to provide a kitchen and common room, meeting room, offices and KS3 and KS4 classrooms.
The project included
Provision of upgraded farm facility to the school and neighbouring Academy, Holmesdale School
Refurbishment of existing special school and associated facilities
New build 2 storey extension forming 28 new Classrooms
Extension to the dining hall and new kitchen facilities
Relocation of the existing car parking facilities and improved vehicular access
Provision of a new fenced multi-use games area and associated landscaping.
We upgraded Tunstall Primary School from cramped, run-down facilities to a brand new school just 500 metres away.
Objectives
To expand the school from 1 Form Entry to 2 Form Entry
To relocate the school
To create and build a new, purpose-built school
The team did a great job giving us a building with such a high specification. They made the process easy for us and sorted out problems with planning, design and cost.
We relocated the school to a new purpose-built building with 210 additional places
To meet demand for school places in the Sittingbourne area the decision was taken to upgrade Tunstall Primary School to 2 form entry. But as it was accommodated in five mobile classrooms scattered around a ramshackle Grade 2 listed building, a new, purpose-built facility was required.
We were appointed as project manager with a brief to create a new building with the facilities students needed to receive an outstanding education. We worked closely with the teaching staff to design a school that will evolve to meet the future needs of the community.The end result is a building that will soon expand to a 2 Form Entry school – providing an extra 30 school places each year.
Classrooms are bright, spacious and equipped with up to date technology. Other features include adjoining halls with bi-fold doors that enable different configurations and a multi-purpose room with hobs for cooking classes. A large, on-site car parking area takes congestion off local roads.
We were appointed to project manage the first phase of a brand new primary school in Broadstairs.
Objectives
To provide a new 1 Form Entry Primary School
Deliver the Local Authority’s Statutory obligation to provide places for children in the area
To use the opportunity to plan for a full “through school” from Reception to Year 1
The build was an incredible achievement by all parties concerned, especially as the method of construction was new to Kent.
We delivered an innovative two-storey solution as part one of a 2 Phase build
When the rapidly expanding school age population in Broadstairs created demand for a brand new school our approach was to keep an eye firmly on the future.
As project managers of Phase 1 of a new 2 Form Entry Primary School we also needed to plan for the school’s long-term needs. Phase 1 consisted of the core for a future 2 Form Entry School, with teaching facilities for a 2 Form Entry School.
Our solution was a two-story building with a footprint that allowed for future construction on the site. Modern construction methods incorporated elements such as low-carbon closed panel timber frames and roof mounted photo-voltaic panels. External works including hard and soft play areas, a car park, an access road and S278 works.
The new school was completed on time – ready for the arrival of its first 98 pupils in September 2016.
The demand for school places is growing in the Tonbridge and Malling area and we provided the extra classrooms needed for school expansion in 2015/16.
Objectives
To allow the school to expansion continue for 2015/16
To provide quality teaching facilities
To design and deliver a scheme on time and to budget supporting the community in the local green belt area
We have been very pleased with the new building which has enabled the school to admit 60 new children seamlessly.
We shared our knowledge to help our client get the best possible result for present and future students
When new class spaces were needed to accommodate an increase in pupils, our challenge was to design and deliver a scheme on time and to budget in a way that supported the community in a green belt area.
To create the capacity needed for the new school year we provided two new Early Years classrooms with a light, bright environment designed to enhance the learning opportunities for local children. By working closely with our client during the planning stage we were able to accommodate adjustments to ensure the school could use its new building exactly as it wanted.
The exterior of the building was an important consideration in a green belt area and it has been much admired by parents and visitors for the way it sits in the landscape.
Even though much of the building was completed whilst the children were in school, we ensured the contractors caused the least amount of disruption possible, including managing noise during exam times.
We helped our client prepare for the new school year intake by increasing classroom capacity with improved learning environments.
Objectives
To provide 3 teaching spaces in new accommodation
To improve overall teaching facilities
Our Gen² project manager was very helpful, even in some quite challenging situations.
We helped Bromstone Primary School create extra capacity without comprising its operations
It’s always a challenge for schools to prepare for the September intake in communities where the school-age population is growing. When we were appointed as project managers for this capital project in Broadstairs, Kent - our key consideration was to enable the school to continue functioning during the demolition and construction phases.
We demolished three existing outdated portakabin-type classrooms and replaced these with a larger six classroom block to create an improved learning environment for students.
Students and teachers also benefited from new WC areas and a new, covered walkway that linked to the existing buildings. We also managed all associated external works and landscaping.
