Back to school for Deeley for £7.5m job

COVENTRY contractor Deeley Construction has been appointed to create a £7.5m hall at Warwick School.

The new building will replace the Guy Nelson Hall which has served as the central meeting space for the 1,200-pupil school on Myton Road since the 1960s.

But the building, which also stages concerts and hosts all school exams, is no longer fit for purpose and Deeley Construction, working with Birmingham-based Associated Architects, has been recruited to build a replacement.

The new hall will have a flexible 1,000-seat capacity, will feature performing arts studios, exhibition space and improved acoustics.

Some £1.1m will be raised by the school through dedicated activities, and the hall is scheduled to be completed in July 2016.

Martin Gallagher, managing director at Deeley Construction, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the contract to help improve the facilities at Warwick School.

“As a firm, we have a proud tradition of working with educational organisations at the heart of the community in Coventry and Warwickshire and we look forward to using that experience to provide the best possible results.

“These are really exciting plans for a new site, which should have a big impact on the life of students and staff at Warwick School while providing minimal disruption during construction.

“It is a stunning design and I have no doubt that the completed project will lift the aspirations of everyone that uses it.”

Gus Lock, headmaster of the school, said: “It is the first and last building that pupils visit during their time at Warwick School; it hosts many of the activities which are essential to school life and it has great significance for our pupils.

“We are very pleased that Deeley Construction, being a local firm, have won the work and we are looking forward to working with its team to create a landmark building.”

Deeley, based at Coventry Business Park, is currently working on two projects for Warwickshire College, and has recently completed schemes at the University of Warwick and Coventry University as well as building a new sports complex at Holly Hall Academy in Dudley.