GVA advises historic school on new early years facility
19 November 2018Real Estate advisor GVA has been advising Colston’s Preparatory School in Bristol on the development of a new Early Years Foundation stage nursery and reception facility, which has now opened its doors to pupils.
Having been taught previously in separate sections of the school in facilities that were not purpose built, pupils in the Early Years classes at Colston’s now have their lessons in a bright, modern and inspiring teaching environment. Furthermore, they also have two large play areas, enhanced with new play equipment.
As well as acting as project manager throughout the £1.2m build programme, GVA provided planning advice and specialist heritage building guidance to Colston’s Preparatory School, one of Bristol’s oldest schools.
The Preparatory School site lies within the Stapleton and Frome Valley Conservation Area and is housed in three listed buildings: Stapleton Court, The Old Rectory and Seabrook. The new Early Years facility lies in the grounds of these buildings. Ensuring the new facility was designed and built in keeping with the listed buildings and their surroundings was a key element of GVA’s specialist advice to the school.
The new single-storey, purpose-built structure is a modern and sustainable building, that is now offering the highest standard of teaching environment.
Matt Dingle, Senior Building surveyor at GVA says,
“Being able to be part of this inspirational development at Colston’s Preparatory School has been an honour. Not only does the new building provide the highest of sustainable credentials, it also offers the pupils an environment for exceptional learning at the start of their educational life.
“With the old portacabins coming to the end of their productive life, and teaching previously carried out across a number of other buildings, the new facility now provides a modern and inspiring teaching environment for the pupils and staff, which greatly enhances the setting of the existing listed buildings.
“Elements such as PV panels produce onsite renewable energy, helping reduce C02 emissions, and act as an impressive example of sustainable education facilities in the area.”
Colston’s School was founded in 1710 by the Bristol philanthropist, Edward Colston.
