A Coventry and Warwickshire multi-academy trust has opened a new headquarters at Finham Park 2 school after a seven-figure investment funded by Coventry City Council.
Finham Park Multi Academy Trust brought together representatives from its eight schools, local authority partners and construction project team to celebrate the completion of the £3.5 million development project.
The scheme has been completed by Deeley Construction on behalf of Coventry City Council. It also includes the creation of additional outdoor sports facilities and the transformation of existing office space into new classrooms at Finham Park 2.
The new 8,535 sq ft headquarters for the academy trust will be home to the Trust’s central services team and includes 14 offices and meeting room for teaching and support staff.
It is supported by new car parking spaces, including five electric vehicle charging points, and includes 60 solar photovoltaic panels on the roof to provide a sustainable, renewable energy source for the school.
Deeley Construction adopted an innovative offsite construction approach to create the new headquarters, working with fellow Coventry firm Innovare to introduce a sustainable timber frame structure.
Relocation of the staff offices has enabled the creation of five new classrooms, growing the school’s published admission number by 30 pupils and supporting the school to accommodate up to 900 pupils by September 2028.
Students are also now benefitting from a second multi-use games pitch for outdoor sports and lessons.
Representatives from Finham Park MAT, Deeley Construction and Coventry City Council attended the celebration event to mark the official opening.
Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Coventry City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see this new headquarters and the wider improvements at Finham Park 2 completed. This investment is about supporting our schools to grow and ensuring that more children and young people in Coventry have access to high-quality learning environments.
“By working closely with Finham Park Multi Academy Trust and our delivery partners, we have been able to create additional classroom space, modern facilities for staff, and
improved sports provision for students. It’s a great example of partnership working to support education and opportunities for young people across the city.”
Mark Baillie, Executive Headteacher at Finham Park Multi Academy Trust, said:
“We are delighted that Finham Park 2 school continues to flourish and that working in partnership with Coventry City Council, we have been able to provide more spaces for more children in this part of the city.
“As part of this expansion, the Trust central team have relocated into this new building – something that will help us deliver the highest quality support – improving education and striving to deliver ‘world class’ experiences for all the children and families we serve.
“We are extremely grateful to Coventry City Council for funding this project and to Deeley Construction for delivering such a fantastic building. In addition to offices, we will also offer training spaces to all our schools and their partners – a great way of bringing everyone together for the benefit of all children in our primary and secondary schools!”
Coventry-based Deeley Construction generated social value equivalent to 31.2 per cent of the total value of the project, which was achieved with the use of local full-time employees, investment in supply chain partners with a CV postcode and support of community projects among other factors.
The firm also achieved a full 45/45 score under the Considerate Constructors Schemes (CCS) during the development, reflecting the highest standards in site management and engagement with the community near the school.
The site has also been nominated for a national Considerate Constructors award.
Martin Gallagher, Managing Director of Deeley Construction, said: “This is our second project in recent years at Finham Park 2 and we are proud to continue to contribute to its growth.
“We have an extensive history over the last 90 years of building educational facilities across Coventry and understand how important it is to create spaces that work for both staff and students.
“It’s fantastic to see the space now in use and supporting both the Trust’s central team and the expansion of the school.”