Copper Fields School

Project

Copper Fields School

Location

Delaware, Gunnislake, Cornwall

Client

Outcomes First Group

Contract

£9m

Duration

47 weeks

Project Description

Copper Fields School is a specialist independent co-educational day school in Gunnislake, East Cornwall, established by repeat client, Outcomes First Group, through its subsidiary Options Autism, who specialist in providing nurturing environments and facilities for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Following the successful delivery of our first project for the client at Oak Tree School on the outskirts of Truro, Classic Builders were pleased to negotiate a number of further projects with them across Cornwall, including Copper Fields School which provides specialist education for up to 60 pupils with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), communication and language and often additional needs.

The school is situated on the site of the former Delaware Outdoor Education Centre and a former primary school in Gunnislake, overlooking the Tamar Valley. Works across four separate phases involved the extensive redevelopment and refurbishment of the original buildings, to create neuro-affirming buildings and outdoor creative space for learning, including the new build construction of classrooms for younger children together with welfare and circulation space and outside plant areas. The school utilises the surrounding rural environment close to Dartmoor, integrating safe outdoor learning zones.

For the refurbishment elements, the original structures built in the 1920s using traditional stone were completely stripped out and reconfigured. The project involved the demolition of one building, and alterations and upgrades to a further four detached buildings across the estate. The end result is a high-quality facility including bespoke features to enhance the learning experience for its pupils. The buildings are made up of multiple specialist teaching spaces, a fully immersive sensory room, operational commercial kitchen and outdoor play area. Works included structural alterations, drylining/plastering, external lime pointing which was matched with a mix by the Cornish Lime Company, floor finishes, internal redecoration, installation of commercial and domestic kitchen and welfare areas, roofing repairs and external rendering, installation of new water main to replace failed main on site, window repairs to existing sash windows and installation of new aluminium robust doors, new ceilings and partitions, installation of new digi-lock, specialist access-controlled points throughout site, installation of new WC areas including showers and firestopping measures.

As an identified CDP of the contract, we worked in close collaboration with our appointed M&E specialist installer and the client to establish a heating and cooling strategy, which was provided via Air Source Heat Pumps, with domestic hot water via points of supply electric heaters.

The new building was constructed adopting a timber frame approach with a Baulder single-ply roof and aluminium windows. The building was clad with bespoke fire-treated cladding and an engineering Blue brick plinth. Internally, the classrooms were finished in decorated skimming plasterboard and painted with hard-wearing vinyl floor coverings. Taking into consideration the nature of the buildings and to provide the highest levels of safety and security for the school, boxings and security provisions were installed.

Externally, a DDA compliant access ramp was installed together with robust V Mesh security fencing and tarmacadam paths. A bespoke Broxap rear canopy was installed to allow all-weather teaching and winter fresh air access. Drainage utilised existing infrastructure and adopted a separate modular soakaway approach. A specialist commercial installer worked on-site to install bespoke outdoor play equipment and modern safety surfacing.

As a multi-phased project, the later works were carried out in a live environment as the school was open and fully occupied. Special measures were put into place to ensure that the highest levels of safeguarding were maintained. All members of the team were Enhanced DBS approved, and strict segregation measures, site logistics and traffic management plans were put into place, working in close liaison with the client and staff members. Due to Ofsted deadlines for inspection, the tight programme was strictly monitored in close collaboration with the client in order to accommodate their schedule.

The project successfully delivered a safe, neuro-affirming sanctuary where children with autism and unique communication needs can thrive.