Collinson begins £8m Lancaster school upgrade 

A new science and technology department is to replace outdated facilities at Central Lancaster High School off Crag Road. 

Preston-based contractor Collinson Construction has started work to deliver the £8m project, which will see a 25,000 sq ft modular building erected over two phases. 

The structure will be manufactured off-site at Collinson’s modular factory in Catterall. 

Meanwhile, Collinson is to demolish four existing teaching buildings, built in the 1960s, that have reached the end of their lifespan. 

Two will be knocked down in phase one before the first portion of the new-build element is delivered. 

Another two buildings will then be demolished to pave the way for the second part of the building. 

Once both parts are on site they will be connected, creating one building. 

The development is to feature five science laboratories, facilities and workshops for design technology, a food technology kitchen and 11 classrooms. 

A central courtyard will be developed, opening up a central green space for pupils. 

“We’re proud to be working in partnership with Central Lancaster High School on this project, which will provide new high-quality teaching spaces and benefit students and staff for generations to come,” said Robert Duxbury, managing director of Collinson Construction. 

“We’re investing heavily into our own modular manufacturing factory in Lancashire, including new state-of-the-art equipment, which – coupled with our modular expertise and in-house design and manufacturing facilities – has allowed the majority of the construction phase to be completed in our factory, with the final fit out works being completed on-site – meaning minimal disruption to the wider school.” 

Central Lancaster High School is part of the Bay Learning Trust. Funding for the project was secured from the government’s Condition Improvement Fund. 

Sally Kenyon, chief executive of The Bay Learning Trust, said: “We aim to provide excellent facilities for all the pupils in our schools.  

“Central Lancaster High School is a very close-knit community and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure the funding to build the school that pupils and staff deserve. It will be a great addition to the Bay Learning Trust community of schools.” 

PWA Planning and Stratus 9 Consulting advised the trust on the project. 

The science block could be open to pupils by January, with the second phase set to complete in September 2023.