West Coventry Academy, Coventry

Value - £38.4m | Client - Innovare Systems Ltd

An exciting new 1500 place school in West Coventry featuring an energy-efficient timber frame, with a focus on community and student engagement.

The £38.4m transformation of West Coventry Academy was one of the first projects to be undertaken as part of the Government’s new 10-year School Rebuilding Programme, and designed to reduce energy consumption and support the UK’s net zero by 2050 target.

The scheme involved the complete redevelopment of the site, including the provision of new buildings and a state-of-the-art sports hall, which serves the local community. New outdoor facilities include a sports pitch and six new MUGAs, along with landscaping and improvements to parking and pick up facilities, providing safer access routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

The new buildings were constructed by Bowmer + Kirkland to meet government specifications and were targeted by the Government as being net zero carbon in operation by 2050. The fabric, heating, ventilation, water and lighting systems were designed to be energy efficient.

Working with Innovare Systems, we were responsible for the structural timber frame and Insulated Structural i-Fast panels design for the new buildings.

Work began on site in autumn 2021, with a breaking ground ceremony attended by Education Secretary and Stratford-upon-Avon MP Nadhim Zahawi.

Community and student engagement was a key focus, with regular progress updates shared with neighbours and the school community.

The scheme was completed in 2024. The new buildings have enabled the school to increase student capacity to 1500 places. The facilities are also available for out-of-hours use by the local community.

This trailblazing project won Education Project of the Year at the Explore Offsite Construction Awards and was shortlisted for Best Use of Hybrid Technology at the Explore Offsite Construction Awards.