FBI wins first specialist education contract
Fit-out contractor Flexible Business Interiors has begun work on the redevelopment of office space at Newton-le-Willows’ The Parks for Ascent Autism Specialist College.
FBI fast-tracked the programme to win the contract, the first of its kind in the company’s 34-year history. The firm will work to a 15-week programme, aiming for the site to be operational in time for the next academic year in September.
Ascent Autism Specialist College purchased the 10,330 sq ft building, 11 The Parks, in November last year for £1.1m.
The college is part of the Remarkable Autism Charity, which supports autistic individuals aged five to 25 through integrated services, including Wargrave House School and Sundial Therapy.
FBI, working to a spec from NJSR Chartered Architects, will transform the office space into a bespoke facility meeting the learning and training needs of the college’s students.
The firm worked with Ascent to address the challenge of ensuring all students’ sensory needs are considered, with appropriate materials selected and sourced.
Director of FBI, David Leah, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Ascent Autism Specialist College to transform its new site into a welcoming and inclusive space that has been specially designed to suit the needs of the college’s students and staff.
“The specification from NJSR is perfect and it has been a brilliant project to work on with a range of stakeholders who are extremely proactive and have the students’ welfare at the forefront of their minds during every single decision.”
The college will move from its current site at 449 Wargrave Road in Newton-le-Willows ahead of the new academic year starting this September.
Ascent’s move to 11 The Parks was triggered by its growth, from 12 students in 2022 to 40 students in this academic year, with students travelling from as far as Bolton to receive learning and training from the college’s specialist teaching team.
Head of adult services at Ascent College, Julliet Doherty, commented: “Work beginning on the new college building at 11 The Parks marks an important milestone in the college’s history and will further enable our young adults to gain lifelong transferable skills that will allow them to thrive as happy and fulfilled individuals beyond college.
“We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with FBI who have been excellent in understanding our specific requests to ensure the new space best meets the needs for all the students we serve.”
This month has also seen Meadows Care submit plans to relocate to an empty office unit at Stakehill Industrial Estate, Middleton, while educational repurposing is also the name of the game at a former Barclays office in Cheshire.
FBI Headquarters lol
By G J Kitchener