Collinson begins work on £8m school building

Catterall-based Collinson Construction has begun work on a new £8m building for Central Lancaster High School.

The firm is building a new science and technology block for the school, with work to demolish four existing buildings at the Crag Road school, originally built in 1966, commencing shortly.

Once complete, the new building will feature five state-of-the-art science laboratories, and new facilities and workshops for design technology and a food technology kitchen. The works will be followed by a second phase later in the year which will add an additional 11 classrooms.

The project will also include a new central courtyard between the new and existing buildings, opening up a central green space for pupils to meet with friends.

Collinson Construction is acting as main contractor for the scheme, with the firm’s modular division building the new science and technology block using modern methods of construction.

This means it can be built at Collinson Construction’s own factory offsite in Catterall, before being assembled on the school grounds once ready later in the year. The modular construction method means the building can be completed quicker with less disruption for neighbours on Crag Road.

Robert Duxbury, managing director of Collinson Construction, said: “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.

“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.”

Funding has been secured for the new school buildings thanks to a number of successful bids from The Bay Learning Trust to the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund with the support of Stratus9. Consulting.

The school is hoped to be open to pupils in January, with the second phase set to complete in September 2023.

John Cowper, principal at Central Lancaster High School, said: “This new state-of-the-art school will be transformational for the education we are able to deliver to the young people of Lancaster.

“Our pupils at Central Lancaster High School deserve excellent facilities and the new school will bring a completely new look to the area. Alongside good quality teaching, these facilities will help students at Central Lancaster receive the best possible education so that they can flourish and go on to achieve at the highest level.”