Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties business has marked the topping out stage of the £13 million extension at The Kingsbrook School in Aylesbury with a ceremony to celebrate the progress on site.

 

Attendees at the event included representatives from the Morgan Sindall project team, Buckinghamshire Council, teaching staff from the school, and Homes England. During the ceremony, Councillor Carl Jackson marked the building reaching its highest point by performing a ceremony blessing with the Trust.

 

Procured through the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), Morgan Sindall was appointed to the project by Buckinghamshire Council which will see the three-storey building boost the secondary school’s current capacity of 1,080 pupils by a further 360 student places.

 

The new extension will contain 20 new classrooms, food preparation rooms, science laboratories, a new Sixth Form study area and social spaces. It will also increase the size of the existing special educational needs (SEN) area.

 

As the new 2,300 square metre extension will connect seamlessly with the existing building, precision is paramount for the build. Morgan Sindall is using a traditional steel frame with precast floors. This will make the construction process more efficient, improve the build quality of the new extension, and reduce onsite waste.

 

To minimise disruption to pupils and teaching staff during term time, the project team has fully coordinated construction activities to align with the school’s daily operations. As the works are being carried out whilst the existing school buildings are in use, a tunnel has been incorporated into the construction area to ensure that students wanting to access the school’s sports facilities can pass by the works safely and easily.

 

In line with Morgan Sindall’s commitment to sustainability, the team will install photovoltaic panels on the roof of the building to reduce the school’s energy consumption. Air source heat pumps will also be installed for its heating and hot water requirements, with the only gas provision on the completed project being used for the science labs.

 

The increased capacity at The Kingsbrook School will meet the rising demand for school spaces in the Aylesbury area due to the creation of a new housing development nearby, which is due for completion in autumn 2026.

 

Emma Curtis, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Northern Home Counties, said: “It always adds a layer of complexity when we’re delivering a school project and the site is still fully operational, but it’s a challenge we thrive on.

 

“We’re well-versed in creating smart workarounds that prioritise student safety and minimise disruption to the school day. Reaching the topping out stage is a proud moment for the whole team, and it’s a chance to showcase the high-quality, sustainable extension we’re delivering for Buckinghamshire Council and for the next generation of young people.”

 

Councillor Carl Jackson, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, said: “This is a significant milestone for Buckinghamshire and for everyone involved in delivering this important project. The expansion of The Kingsbrook School is about more than bricks and mortar – it is about ensuring that local children and young people have access to high-quality education close to home and in environments which inspire them to succeed.

 

As our communities grow, we need to provide new infrastructure to support them. By delivering modern, adaptable and sustainable school buildings, we are ensuring we can meet demand for school places today and for years to come.”