Partner Article

Modular build delivers new Wildern partnership SCITT facility

The next generation of alliance trainee teachers are benefitting from a purpose-built, new modular School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) facility at Wildern School in Southampton.

Commissioned by the Wildern Partnership, the building took just four weeks to build on site. Designed by Avenues Architects and delivered by modular specialists - Roan Building Solutions – the standalone training facility opened its doors to the first cohort of trainees this September.

The new 178m2 single storey, six-bay facility includes three offices and a training room along with compliant ramps to the front entrance of the building for disabled access.

Completed in traditional brick envelope with rendered inserts and cedar cladding, it also incorporates a main entrance corridor, two stores, cloak area and kitchen complete with heating and lighting.

Chris Cornhill, facilities manager at Wildern School, says: “Wildern is the lead school in the ETC Alliance which is dedicated to providing facilities to trainee teachers and give them access to mentors and key staff within a purpose built facility.

“The new Wildern Partnership SCITT building is exactly what we needed to help deliver the partnerships long-term vision. Designed to our exact specification, the white and brick cladding ensures it is in-keeping with the school’s existing buildings providing the ideal setting for trainees across the region.

“As the build only took four weeks to erect, the disruption caused by the construction was minimal, which also alleviated noise issues and traffic problems for the local residents.”

Wildern School – an academy which caters for pupils from year seven to year 11 – is part of the Wildern Partnership and the ETC Alliance - a national teaching school dedicated to supporting trainees and teachers.

During the site installation, Roan erected track-way to the side of the main school building, which provided them with independent access and minimised disruption to the school whilst the ground was prepared for installation.

“SCITT buildings are normally located outside of the school environment but the ability to design bespoke modular buildings which replicate a school’s existing architecture makes it a viable and cost-effective solution,” says Matthew Goff, UK sales director at Roan Building Solutions.

“The versatility of modular means that the structure can be built offsite and then erected at a convenient time. The new Wildern Partnership SCITT facility was installed during the summer break, minimising the risk to children on the site with no disruption to classes as it was outside of term-time which made the build programme much smoother.”

Chris added: “This modular build has taken the vision of the partnership and delivered a building which more than matches its expectation and need – the ideal base for the region’s future teachers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Roan Building Solutions .