Guildford school expands to meet demand

Construction starts on major new extension at Guildford County School

Posted by Stephanie Broad | August 08, 2016 | Bricks & mortar

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• #guildford-county-school
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Beard has started construction on a major extension at Guildford County School. The scheme, funded by Surrey County Council, will allow the 1,049-pupil, co-educational day school on Farnham Road, to increase its student intake by 100 places - 20 each year - over the next five years from September 2017. 

The expansion responds to the high demand for places at the school, which last year received 719 applications for 160 places. 

Beard is working with designers Lytle Associates Architects on the scheme which will create a three-storey building extension at the back of the main school building, housing five new humanities classrooms and a new state-of-the art science laboratory. The project includes the conversion of existing attic space into new staffroom facilities, refurbishment of four existing and creation of two new maths classrooms, and an expansion of the school’s dining facilities. 

Beard expects the project to create a number of jobs, with trades companies being employed locally in the community where possible. The scheme is due for completion in August 2017. 

“We are delighted to be working with Guildford County School on this much-needed school extension which will enhance the school’s learning environment and help alleviate the serious shortage of secondary school places in the local area,” says Guy Hannell, Beard Guildford regional director. “Our construction team is very experienced in delivering high-performance school buildings in the region and we are all looking forward to seeing this smart new extension take shape.” 

Headteacher, Jack Mayhew, comments: “We are excited to be working with Beard on this project, which is an exciting development for the school and the wider community, allowing us to rise to the challenge on school places while improving facilities and provision for our existing students.”