Work has begun to build a new state-of-the-art teaching block at Colmers School & Sixth Form College in Rednal, Birmingham. Interserve has signed on to deliver the £7.2 million project, with funding directly from the Department for Education (DfE), Birmingham City Council and Colmers School & Sixth Form College.

This scheme will involve the demolition of the existing west building, which is more than 70 years old, and the construction of a new large teaching block to accommodate additional facilities including two science classrooms and a growing school cohort.

It forms part of the UK Government’s £4.4 billion Priority School Building Programme which aims to rebuild or refurbish those school buildings in the very worst condition across the country.

Emma Leaman, Head Teacher at Colmers School & Sixth Form College, said: “This much-needed replacement of one out-dated school building on the site will offer modern facilities, providing life-long benefits for pupils and staff in a welcoming and secure setting. This is a wonderful opportunity for the school and our local community and there will be an emphasis on quality and innovation throughout the building programme.

“Interserve Construction, which has lots of experience of building schools, has been selected by the Department for Education to deliver the project.”

Simon Butler, Interserve Construction Divisional Director, added: “This exciting project represents the largest investment in more than 70 years for Colmers School & Sixth Form College. It will enable it to grow and build upon their performance with brand new facilities for generations of students in this area.

“Education across the spectrum from primary through to tertiary remains a key strategic focus for Interserve Construction and in the past year alone we have been named the lead contractor on more than 16 new school projects demonstrating our capabilities in the sector.”