Patchway Community School rebuild proposals: Artist’s impression of the main entrance to the school.Plans for a replacement main building at Patchway Community School have been revealed, along with a proposed implementation timeline that shows the new accommodation opening in “spring 2026”.
As previously reported, it was announced in July 2021 that Patchway had been selected to receive funding through the government’s School Rebuilding Programme. Since then, Olympus Academy Trust, of which the school is a member, has been working with South Gloucestershire Council and design consultants to draw up detailed plans.
The proposed scheme involves demolishing the existing school and building a highly sustainable, new secondary school on the same site, maintaining the current capacity for 1,080 pupils. The existing sports hall, playing fields and all-weather 3G pitches will be retained.
It is foreseen that staff and students will “decant” into temporary modular accommodation on the site in “spring 2024”, at the start of a two-year phased build period. The temporary accommodation will be located on the playing fields to the south of the current school and will have temporary pedestrian routes and cycle parking. The existing science and DT blocks will be segregated from construction works and temporarily retained in use by the school, until the new school is occupied.
A spokesperson for Olympus Academy Trust said:
“We are really excited that plans for the new school are at a stage where the contractors are ready to submit the planning proposal and are ready to give all stakeholders the opportunity to view and comment on these plans.”
Information about the plans and design is now available to view on a dedicated website hosted by construction firm Wates:
đź”— Patchway Community School Consultation
Drop-in event
Parents, neighbours and other members of the public are invited to attend a drop-in style exhibition at the school on Monday 13th March 2023, between 3pm and 6.30pm. The exhibition will be held in the school hall adjacent to the main entrance off Hempton Lane.
On the day, members of the project team will be on hand to talk through the proposals and answer any questions.
If you are unable to attend, questions may be submitted through the consultation website.
“Maximising opportunities”
In a letter sent to parents and neighbours, consultant co-ordinator Avril Baker writes:
“The single new school building will replace a stretch of existing, end-of-life facilities and nestles in the centre of the site, respecting residential boundaries whilst maximising the opportunities for external play, amenity and learning spaces. The main entrance is clearly visible from Hempton Lane to the north, with the south-facing courtyard opening up to the wider site beyond.”
The letter continues:
“The new school will bring a number of benefits to the community and local area including opportunities to hire some of the school’s facilities outside of school hours, such as the main hall, drama and activity spaces in addition to maintaining the current high levels of usage of the sports hall and pitches.”
Have your say
A statement on the consultation website says:
“Your comments and views are important to us. Please have your say on the proposals by filling in our online feedback form.”
đź”— Online feedback form
Responses must be submitted by Wednesday 22nd March 2023.
Following the consultation exercise, it is anticipated that a full planning application will be submitted to South Gloucestershire Council at the end of March 2023.
Construction phasing
The construction works will be undertaken in phases to minimise disruption to the existing school:
- Phase 1 – Temporary accommodation installation (followed by existing school staff and pupils decant into modular accommodation)
- Phase 2 – New school construction
- Phase 2a – New school external works construction
- Phase 2b – Decant into new school and final external work
Indicative timeline
Note: These are target dates and may be subject to change as the project progresses.
- Spring 2023: Submission of planning application
- Summer 2023: Determination of planning application
- Spring 2024: School decants into temporary accommodation
- Spring 2024: Construction commences
- Spring 2026: Planned school opening date
Planning application delayed
UPDATE added 15th September 2023.
As we head into autumn, there is still no sign of a planning application being submitted.
Dave Baker, CEO of Olympus Academy Trust, writes in this week’s parent & carer update:
“We are still awaiting news of when the new building will start and when the move into temporary accommodation will happen but we hope to be able to provide an update in due course.”
Upcoming meeting
UPDATE added 5th January 2024.
From a letter sent to parents/carers of Patchway Community School students on 3rd January 2024:
“We are waiting for confirmation of a meeting with the Department for Education about the rebuild programme in the next month and will be able to provide you with an update about progress and the project timeline at that point.”
Change of contractor
UPDATE added 13th May 2024.
From the Olympus Trust Parent/Carer Update dated 27th March 2024:
“We are working with new contractors on the Patchway rebuild programme, following the withdrawal of the previous contractors. The current plan is for temporary accommodation to be on site from Easter next year [2025], with the new building ready for occupation by September 2027. It is frustrating that there is a delay because of the change of contractor but we are also relieved that the funding has not been redirected to prioritise the many schools with unsafe concrete. Further updates will follow as they become available.”
