A basic description of the project and building

This new school and nursery is one of several major building projects resulting from a review of education in the Wyre Forest area. As a result of the review, in September 2007 Offmore First School became a Primary School with additional two year groups of pupils. A feasibility study of the site in 2006 by Worcestershire County Council, recommended that because of the size, layout and condition of the existing school, conversion and extension was not practicable. Instead it was decided that a new school building should be provided containing sufficient accommodation to house all pupils and that it should be built to better constructional standards than the existing forty year old school building.

The new primary school will be a 1½ form entry Primary School for 362 pupils. It would also accommodate a 40 place Nursery. It will be located approximately in the same location of the present building, which is to be demolished, and the school is being accommodated in temporary classrooms on the school field whilst the new school is built.

In the form of a modern two storey block with a faceted plan, the school will also have two single storey wings projecting outwards towards Wordsworth Crescent. The single storey elements house the school hall, the reception and nursery classes; whilst the two storeys contains the school classrooms, offices and specialist teaching areas.

The facing materials for the new school building will be insulated render, with a brown brick base and features. The windows will be timber, with an aluminium external face. The upper roof will be constructed of zinc, and the lower single storey roofs are 'green' roofs planted with sedums on a single ply membrane. The green roof helps to keep the building cool, reduce rainwater run-off and provide visual interest.

It is proposed that each Key Stage would have its own outside play area/teaching area. The Nursery and Reception hard play area would be located to the south on the existing early years play area. The ABC club hard play area would be situated to the northwest, Key Stage 1 would have a hard play area to the northeast, and the Key Stage 2 hard play area would be located on the existing large hard play area to the east.

The building has been designed by architects and services engineers from the County Council Property Services department, assisted by a range of specialist consultants offering cost, structural, drainage, health & safety, and ecological advice. Under the West Midlands Contractor Framework, Speller Metcalfe (Malvern) Ltd have been appointed as Principal Contractor for the works.