Kier has been appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver a new secondary school in Gloucestershire.
Situated in the Cotswolds, a designated area of natural beauty (AONB), Thomas Keble School near Stroud is a secondary school which caters for 710 pupils.
A ground-breaking event was held on site this week to mark the start of work on the project which saw Kier joined by staff and pupils from the school as well as representatives from the DfE.
The scheme to redevelop the existing site will include a mix of new build and refurbishment elements, as well as extensive improvements to the surrounding landscaping.
A new three-storey teaching block will replace structures set for demolition which will provide modern teaching spaces and will be net zero carbon in operation, helping meet the future needs and vision of the school and the UK government’s net zero targets.
These targets will be achieved using methods such as air source heat pumps and photovoltaic (PV) panels.
"At Kier, we recognise the value to schools of having bespoke, state-of-the-art teaching spaces as well as diverse SEN facilities and are looking forward to delivering this at Thomas Keble. Careful consideration has been given to the site due to its setting in an AONB and its use by the community."
Andy Bolas Regional director at Kier Construction Western & Wales
Kier is also working with the DfE on Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School in nearby Wooton-under-Edge where they are delivering a new net zero carbon in operation teaching block and separate activity studio.
They have also been appointed by the DfE to deliver the new Carew Academy, a special educational needs and disability (SEND) school for pupils in the London Borough of Sutton.