A small school in Bedfordshire is about to get a big upgrade thanks to works being undertaken by SMD during the summer holidays.
While the staff and pupils are having a well-deserved break, SMD has sent in an expert team to undertake fast-track refurbishment works at Thomas Johnson Lower School in Lidlington.
The school describes itself as ‘small but mighty’ with space for 110 pupils aged three to nine years old.
Paul Cornelius, SMD’s site manager, explains that the team hopes the work will live up to the pupils’ ‘mighty’ expectations. He said: “We’ve started at the front entrance area to update the flooring and install several new doorsets to enhance fire safety.
“Children in Fox class will also get new doors and a redundant doorway will be blocked up to make the classroom more practical, but the children who’ll see the most difference to their part of the building are the pre-schoolers who’ll have a new entrance door when they arrive for the new term. Their space will be fully refurbished including improvements to the wash areas, new toilets and basins, and a new doorway out to the external play area.
“New flooring, full mechanical and electrical installations and decorating will be carried out and to complete their upgrade they’ll have a new glass door and screens to make their classroom feel brand new.”
The external works will include a new aluminium door leading to a 4m by 5m block paved area protected from the elements by a lean-to canopy which leads to a grassed play area.
Paul continues: “The biggest challenge has been the fast-track nature of the project with suppliers and sub-contractors all mobilising very quickly to be able to deliver the scheme.”
SMD is currently working on several school projects for Central Bedfordshire Council including improvements at Lawnside Academy and Rainbow Nursery in Biggleswade.