The Brief

In response to the city’s overall demand for secondary school places, it was identified that Malet Lambert School needed an extension to increase the overall size of the school to accommodate 150 more students.

The original site had been extended and undergone a major programme of refurbishment , as part of the Building School for the Future programme (BSF) of works being completed in September 2012. The latest brief identified the requirement for further expansion in the form of class bases and internal sports facilities.

The Solution

Esteem coordinated the design and delivery of a new single-storey extension that would blend seamlessly into the existing schools sports hall and gymnasium.

A fully collaborative approach was needed throughout the project, whereby Esteem acted as the liaison and facilitator between the client, Hull City Council, the supply partner Geo Houlton, and of course the end user, Malet Lambert staff and pupils.

A full engagement plan was developed with the school which presented and requested feedback on the designs and functionality of the build. Consultations took place with regards to class bases, the proposed multi-functional space that facilitated sports activities along with additional dining space but also extending to elements of the works such as signage, colour schemes, and external works. This ensured a partnership approach where all relevant parties were fully involved in all aspects of the scheme in accordance to Local Authority policies, as well as the school’s and the wider Academy priorities from the very start.

It was Esteem’s responsibility to schedule all meetings and engagement workshops between partners where held, to consider the school’s operational requirements such as student timetables, examinations, pupil movement around the proposed facility along with Safeguarding and security provision.

Esteem and supply partners Geo Houlton faced a challenging development and delivery programme in a challenging market to ensure the facility could be available for the new pupil intake come the new academic year.

The Results          

This project forms part of the wider investment in Hull’s schools, which is the largest since the Building Schools for the Future programme. All of them have been built considering future pacts on climate change; designed with durability and resilience in mind, built to maximise energy efficiency and contribute to low carbon emissions.

All schools have energy efficient lighting, as well as electric vehicle charging points in the extended carparks. Malet’s brand new extension also includes;

  • New indoor multi-use area – more capacity during lunchtime and exam periods along with an increase to indoor sporting facilities allowing pupils access to more sports
  • Five new classrooms, new staff room and additional pupil toilets
  • External works – new parking spaces, cycle racks and shelters, as well as associated footpaths to improve access to the site
  • Cleaner’s store and PLANT room
  • Staff office
  • PE / dining general storage area