Education & Community

Latest John Port Planning Submitted

The next phase of work at John Port Spencer Academy in Etwall, Derbyshire, has been submitted for planning approval. We are providing a building with new hall containing dining facilities within the existing campus. The double height space includes retractable bleacher seating to provide a space with great flexibility, along with a new kitchen and…

New Teaching Shelter For School

We’re delighted to confirm full planning approval has now been granted for a much needed timber teaching shelter at a Derbyshire primary school. Middleton Community Primary School is set in the wonderful Derbyshire Dales on the edge of the Peak District. These timber structures are all season, being great in the summer for providing shade…

Supporting Role For School Project

Admittedly, it’s not a glamorous image, but work continues apace at John Port Spencer School in Etwall, Derby and this reinforcement is vital. Bailey Construction are almost out of the ground, with work focusing on retaining walls and foundations in the past month. Thinking Building are supporting the project, but the picture shows the new retaining…

Bloxham School Sports Extension

We are hoping for a good result in planning shortly, with this scheme to significantly improve sporting facilities at Bloxham School. The project involves new front and rear extensions to the school’s existing sports hall to provide a new entrance and arrival space, first floor studio, additional changing rooms, and a new state of the art…

Oxfordshire Primary School Extension

It continues to be a busy time for our Education team. Our latest project has just been submitted for planning and involves a 2 classroom extension, new synthetic surface Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), a new Forest school class base, new school car park, as well as significant alterations and remodelling of the existing school…

Construction Continues at School Site

Work is progressing well at John Port Spencer Academy in Etwall, Derbyshire, where we’re working with Bailey Construction to build an extension to one of the science buildings. The site presents some challenges, as it is of archaeological interest and it has a noticeable slope. The contiguous piled retaining wall and the concrete piles that will support…

School Site Improvements To Bring Real Change

Thinking Buildings continues to work with The de Ferrers Trust to help them deliver changes and improvements across their schools. We’re currently working with them at Granville Academy in Woodville, Swadlincote, Derbyshire. Working with Davlyn Construction and SA Consulting, we’re helping to vastly improve the main external social space at the academy. The works comprise of external steps, ramps,…

Nursery School Part Q Barn Conversion

This is a project with some real vision behind it. Our client owns an existing agricultural barn, and came to us to help with the design to convert it under Part Q permitted development rights, into a new commercial building. The proposed building will provide a new premises for an existing popular nursery, providing them…

Planning Approval For Heanor Gate Sixth Form

Today’s education spotlight is on the new sixth form and teaching building at Heanor Gate Spencer Academy in Derbyshire, that recently gained planning consent. This project provides a striking new focal point on the site for the school’s post 16 provision with a new social space, study areas, and seminar rooms. Our team are currently…

Science Expansion Build Sequence

This week we have a new video for you, showcasing another of our education projects. This is a build sequence model and video of the new science building at John Port School, in Etwall, Derbyshire. The project has recently started on site and this shows the main sequencing of how the science expansion will be…