Conlon set for £6m North Cestrian school extension

Conlon Construction is set to start on a £6m overhaul of North Cestrian in Altrincham as the school prepares to more than double in size by 2022.

The contractor will demolish the school’s existing technology and sixth form common room, and build a one-and-a-half storey extension to its main building. Conlon will also build a three-storey extension to the school’s science block and a two-storey extension to its Fearnlea Building as part of the project.

There will also be a significant overhaul of the school’s configuration with staff facilities to be relocated, as well as refurbishment of existing corridors and classrooms.

Works will be completed across several phases. Conlon is due to start demolition works before the end of the year to allow the new-build element of the project to proceed.

Cassidy + Ashton’s design for the school’s B Building

The scheme is being brought forward to help the school expand pupil numbers from 283 to 750 by 2022, after the former public grammar school became a free school in September last year.

Plans were approved for the project, which is backed by the Education & Skills Funding Agency, in March this year.

Cassidy & Ashton is architect for the scheme, Mace is project manager, and JRB is the M&E consultant.

Other school projects Conlon is working on in Altrincham include a £2.5m project to expand Broadheath Primary School, which was awarded by Trafford Council through the North West Construction Hub in June this year.