Framwellgate School rebuild gets the go-ahead
Plans for a major renovation proposed by the Department for Education and BAM Construction have been given the nod by Durham County Council, following DfE’s assessment that nine of the 10 teaching blocks are not fit for purpose.
BAM will now build a three-storey U-shaped building that encloses a courtyard, designed by Ryder Architecture, to the north east of the existing school.
Also on the project team is Lichfields as planning consultant and landscape designer One Environments.
Once the new building is complete nine of the 10 old blocks will be demolished, with the exception of the sports hall, which was built in 2017.
The sports hall will be retained and has been incorporated into the new designs.
The school sits within 35 acres, and is located around two miles north west of Durham city centre, next to Framwellgate Moor.
Funded by the DfE, which has not yet responded to how much the project will cost, and Durham Council, the new building will include an assembly hall, library, dining hall, and specialist teaching spaces on the ground floor.
General classrooms, sixth form social, and study spaces will be on the first floor, and further teaching rooms and staff spaces will be located on the second floor.
The entire project is expected to complete in May 2028, however that includes demolition of the old buildings and the creation of a car park. It is expected that the new school will be ready for pupils from September 2027.
The building has been designed to achieve Net Zero Carbon in operation.
