Work has started on a £300k extension project at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Falmouth.
The project, which is being led by Penzance-based RLT Architects, will allow the school to meet future needs, as well as reduce its environmental impact.
Due for completion in spring 2010, the scheme will see the addition of new teaching and administration space, together with new staff and headteacher’s facilities.
RLT’s director, Danny Cooper, said: “We have acted and advised the Plymouth Roman Catholic Diocese, who look after St Mary’s, on their various school assets in Cornwall and parts of Devon for over 15 years.
“They approached us to look at the site and advise on the potential for future development to help meet the changing needs of the curriculum and the space standards required under current schools guidance.
“We worked to identify the need and carried out a feasibility study before plans for the project were completed.”
As well as expanding the school, the extension, which wraps around a corner of the original 1960’s school building, will also improve the thermal performance of the building and help to reduce the school’s carbon dioxide emissions.
Headteacher, Jacqui Scarborough, said: “We’re all very excited now that the work is underway.
“The extension is going to give the pupils here even better facilities, while allowing us to plan for the future.
“The fact that we will be able to reduce our carbon footprint is very important to us, and it’s good to have the support of RLT, with their expertise and knowledge in this area.”
The work, which is being carried out by local contractor, Scrace & Co, is designed to compliment the existing building with external finishes in facing brickwork, while the use of coloured claddings will accentuate and give a modern feel to the school entrance.
