Decant Modular School for Sir Frederick Gibberd College Phase 1

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Client

BMAT Academy Trust

Building Use

Secondary Education Buildings

Project Duration

4 months

Procurement Method

Hire

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Project Features

  • Bespoke science and food technology laboratories
  • Fully fitted ICT suits
  • Large dining hall and fitted catering kitchen
  • Air conditioning and ventilation throughout
  • Security and safety alarms, access control and CCTV

  1. Urgent Decant School for 650+Pupils

     

    More than 650 secondary pupils needed urgent relocation after Sir Frederick Gibberd College (SFG) was required to vacate its existing school buildings following technical concerns raised by the Department for Education. 


    Of the three emergency school projects assigned to Portakabin, SFG represented the largest and most complex, with a significant list of specialist requirements including science labs, ICT rooms, accessible classrooms, catering facilities and enhanced security features.

     

  2. Complex Site Conditions 

     

    The school needed a complete temporary replacement facility with the highest priority placed on maintaining high educational standards and minimising disruption.


    The building also needed to be delivered on an extremely constrained site located deep within a residential area, with up to 100 staff on site at peak construction. This required diligent planning to ensure all works were carried out efficiently and with a safety-first approach. 

  3. Rapid Delivery of Modular Secondary School


    Despite challenging conditions, Portakabin delivered a complete turnkey modular school within 4 months. The school was designed in six modular blocks allowing delivery to be staggered and reducing on-site congestion. Buildings were transported to Harlow from across the Portakabin network - Manchester, York, Leeds, Newcastle, Bridgwater and Birmingham. 


    In total 156 Portakabin buildings were configured to create 48 fully fitted out teaching locations including specialist classrooms for science, ICT, art, food tech and music. As well as pupil welfare facilities, kitchen and dining hall, administration spaces and circulation areas. 


    The completed facility provides a high-quality, purpose-built learning environment that allows SFG pupils to continue their education without compromise. Despite significant logistical challenges, the project demonstrated the speed, efficiency and reliability of modular construction in emergency education settings.

  4. Fully Operational Decant School in 4 Months


    The full groundworks and a full furniture decant from the defunct school were also managed by Portakabin. The re-installation of furniture was delivered overnight to guarantee the original handover date and minimise disruption to pupils, staff and parents. 

    A second phase in September 2024, further expands the school’s temporary teaching accommodation.

Overcoming significant logistical challenges, the delivery of the modular buildings for Sir Frederick Gibberd College represents a triumph of rapid construction and planning. This project ensured that our students continued their education in a high-quality, purpose-built environment, reflecting our commitment to excellence despite unforeseen circumstances.

Dee Conlon, Headteacher, Sir Frederick Gibberd College