To increase sustainability, Bouygues UK will use sustainable, low-carbon materials as part of the build, including a cross-laminated timber frame. Image, Stride Treglown

Bouygues UK has been appointed as lead contractor to build a new secondary school for the Department of Education in Grove, Oxfordshire.

St John’s Academy, a £28.2m project for Vale Academy Trust, will be built alongside the already-completed primary school in Grove on the Wellington Gate Development, and will be the first all-through school (nursery to Year 11) in the local area, teaching around 600 pupils.

As part of its commitment to both education and sustainability, Bouygues UK will use sustainable, low-carbon materials as part of the build, including a cross-laminated timber frame.

It will also use an enhanced quality construction approach through consistent offsite manufacturing, to reduce waste and defects.

Designed by Stride Treglown, the two-storey building will feature a green roof with photovoltaic panels.

The grass playing fields and MUGA will also have extensive sustainable draining systems (SUDS) featuring attenuation, swales, and porous parking areas.

And the buildings will be clad in brickwork and timber panelling with feature aluminium-framed entrances.

John Boughton, Bouygues UK’s managing director for Wales and the South West, said the project is a significant one for the Bouygues UK team, which is committed to building sustainable, low-carbon schools.

Rick Holroyd, executive headteacher at St John’s academy, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Bouygues UK on the design and build of this amazing school building.

“Our vision for the new academy is that this wonderful new school will sit at the heart of the emerging Wellington Gate community and, will not only offer outstanding educational provision for local secondary students, but will also offer opportunities and services to meet the needs of all family members within the new community.”