Vertis helps Sutton Lower School convert to a full primary school, under two tier education system
Central Bedfordshire Council has embarked on a ‘Schools for future’ project converting schools from the historically used three tier education system (Lower, Middle and Upper) to a two tier education system (Primary and Secondary). This move brings the county in line with the rest of the UK and means the county’s school children will no longer have to change schools at least twice.
Sutton V.A Lower School, a small village school within the St Albans C of E Diocese, was required to convert to a full primary school to fit the two tier education system. Central Bedfordshire Council funded and project managed the school’s conversion project.
Back in 2019, we created a modular school building, ‘The Larch Classroom’, for Sutton Lower as a new home for Years 3 and 4. Previously, two year-groups were using the same classroom and this meant they could release much needed space within the main school building.
Fast forward to 2024, and Vertis continues with the transformation project by helping extend the school to a full Primary (Reception to Year 6) by adding a Key Stage 2 classroom, a hall and an all-weather games pitch. On excavating the grounds for the MUGA pitch, a huge mediaeval kiln was unearthed. This delayed the project for a few weeks whilst this important find was documented, but then Vertis were able to cover the ground and continue work on upgrading the sports facilities.
After completing an extensive refurbishment of the existing school buildings to improve use and bring it up to modern-day teaching and learning standards, we asked Lucy Chapman, Headteacher of Sutton Lower V.A School to tell us how the conversion project has been going.
Five years on how happy is the school with the Key Stage 1 modular classroom building?
“The modular classroom building created for Key Stage 1 is a very robust, solid building. Nothing like a portable cabin. I can’t believe it has been five years as it looks like it did when it was first built. When we show people round the school, they comment on what a lovely learning environment it is. It is extremely bright and hasn’t aged at all.” explains Lucy Chapman, Headteacher.
The next phase: building a Key Stage 2 modular classroom, school hall and MUGA pitch
“When Central Bedfordshire Council decided to convert the school to a full primary, we wanted to make sure any new school building would match the style and quality of the existing classroom that Vertis built. We love the building and learning environment they created for us, so we were keen to have Vertis work on the next project. We asked the Council to consider giving Vertis the whole project containing a new Yr 5/6 classroom, building a school hall, the entire refurbishment of the school and a games pitch. Having one main contractor on this project made sense in terms of ease and we were delighted when Vertis were appointed as the main contractor for the entire project.”
Refurbishing the school to bring it up to modern-day Primary School standards
The project has involved an extensive refurbishment internally as part of an expansion and general upgrade of the school. Vertis reviewed the existing provision and brought it up to current Primary School Standards. A separate SEN room and a practical room for Cooking, Design and Technology have been added.
Since the school was built in 1870, it had had several extensions which gave a ‘rabbit warren’ feel to it and a First Aid room could only be accessed through one of the classrooms.
The refurbishment works have involved some structural improvements to the school building and an overall upgrade. New flooring has been installed and the lighting throughout has been upgraded to LED lighting which will bring great efficiencies over time.
“Not only are we gaining additional learning environments, but the existing school building is a much higher specification now. The flow of the school buildings has been improved and it is easier for pupils to move around the school. We have created more efficient spaces and sound insulation has been brought up to regulation standards. We have some pupils with impaired hearing and the sound quality has noticeably improved.”
Creating a multi-use and purpose-built school hall
Currently the school uses the village hall as there isn’t one at the school. Building a school hall will mean the school no longer needs to pay to use the village hall, and children will no longer have to go off site for PE. For the first time ever all the school children will be able to eat lunch together – no longer will children eating packed lunch be separated from children eating school dinner due to space constraints. This will help bring efficiencies in staffing at lunchtimes and children will benefit from eating together at lunchtime.
Coming together for collective worship will also be possible in the new hall. No longer will staff have to use a classroom which involved much moving of furniture to and fro after worship. The hall will also have gym apparatus fitted and storage for gym equipment, and the headteacher is looking forward to holding music concerts in there in the future.
“The hall is going to be really transformational for the school. We will be able to deliver a much more varied curriculum with our own resources in a purpose-built space.”
Multi use sports pitch means a broader range of activities can take place concurrently
Vertis are creating new all-weather sports facilities for the school, due to be completed by Spring 2025. The new multi-use games area (MUGA) will mean it can be used all year round. It will be enclosed so that the school’s outside space can be used for different activities concurrently. At the moment if a class is having PE outside, no one else can use the field at the same time.
“With the new MUGA pitch, we’ll be able to have a PE class, outdoor learning and play time all at the same time. We’ll be able to offer a broader range of sports too, meeting the needs of everyone including the upper Key Stage 2 pupils.”
“In fact, the MUGA pitch will benefit everyone. Last night it rained a lot so today PE had to be on the playground which can be somewhat slippy. With the spongy surface material used in the MUGA pitch, it is safer to do PE in all weathers. We’ll also be able to offer sports like netball, basketball, hockey and tennis on the MUGA pitch.”
An added advantage of the markings on the pitch, means there will be less prep required by the PE teacher. There’s no need to bring out cones and mark out different areas and pitches for different activities and packing it all away afterwards. “This is a much more efficient use of our specialist PE teacher’s time for his delivery and quality of his teaching and learning.”
Building the new Key Stage 2 modular classroom
“The new modular classroom built by Vertis is a very attractive building like the previously created Key Stage 1 classroom. It has floor to ceiling windows and doors giving lots of natural light. Its aspect is wonderful – overlooking the school grounds onto a nature garden. Vertis have also created an independent room that can be used as an intervention space where pupils can receive intervention privately without being interrupted. It will mean a better outcome for these children and the new space is ideal for small group work. It will be really transformational.”
“The IT that’s going in is of a higher spec than has been previously used elsewhere in the school. There will be a new teaching wall – a built-in focal point comprising an interactive whiteboard and built in units. The classroom is almost completed and we are looking forward to it being useable in the next few weeks.”
As well as the school’s physical transformation, a benefit of the school converting to a full primary is that the teachers will be able to keep the children until the end of the primary phase. All the teachers are qualified to teach to Year 6 so for them it is more interesting as they are able to use their full skills for the development of the children.
About working with Vertis as their modular school building partner
“Vertis and their team are very sensitive to working in a school environment. They are very discreet in their approach. When children are passing, they stop work. They make sure access is always open. They are jolly. They welcome children looking at and curious about what they are doing. On site in this school environment, they are friendly to all the children and adults. They put the school needs first in everything they do.”
“What is very attractive about Vertis is that they are a local firm. They have a really good understanding of the Central Beds Local Authority and the local context of the phases of education changing across the county. They are very familiar with the vision for schools in Central Beds, and with the St Albans Diocese. They can show examples of other schools they have worked with in this area.”
For schools converting to a full primary, within the two tier education system, get a show round
“I welcome other schools to come and look round at our school. I can show them our learning environments, how it all works and the efficiencies we have gained.” Lucy Chapman, Headteacher Sutton Lower V.A soon to be Sutton Primary School.
Vertis has extensive experience working with schools to create modular classroom buildings, including working with Central Bedfordshire Local Authority, such as Weatherfield Academy and Offley Endowed Primary School in Hitchin.
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