Race Cottam - General - England, Bradford

Date: 07 Jan 2009

Sheffield architects are helping to deliver the latest phase of England's biggest school redevelopment programme for more than 50 years.

Race Cottam Associates have been appointed by EduCo, a joint venture between leading UK construction firm Costain and multinational Ferrovial Agromán, to deliver four schools in Bradford as part of the government's £20 billion Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Race Cottam's contract includes three special educational needs (SEN) schools and one primary school.

Work on the new high-value schools- called Delius, Chellow Heights and Phoenix & Guard House (combined SEN and primary) is now well under way.

Design elements of the new schools, according to BSF guidelines, will include more welcoming entrances, wider corridors, more use of natural light, creation of 'social spaces' and more imaginative use of colour. Hydrotherapy pools will also be a key feature of the SEN schools.

Work finished last year on three Race Cottam designed schools in Derby and the Bradford contract follows Race Cottam's recent success with other educational projects at Sinfin Community School in Derby and Doncaster's Edlington comprehensive school. Work has finished on both schools.

Race Cottam Director David Cottam said: "We are very excited about our work on this important project for the city of Bradford. Building Schools for the Future is a massive, nationally significant school improvement programme and we're delighted to be involved in its implementation in West Yorkshire.

"Race Cottam have targeted education as one of our key sectors and this prestigious commission underlines the significant reputation we have in this area."

The government put more than £2 billion into the BSF programme in 2006, targeting those schools in most urgent need of regeneration. Four Pathfinder authorities, including Bradford, are spearheading the investment and by 2016 at least three schools in every local authority in England will be substantially remodelled or rebuilt. The total programme in Bradford is valued at £400 million.

Phoenix and Guard House School

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