New Stowmarket high school expansion teaching block takes shape - Barnes Construction

Stowmarket High School has reached a major construction milestone, with a ‘Steel Signing’ event taking place at its new expansion building. Hosted by the project team, the event welcomed local councillors and school representatives, giving attendees their first glimpse of the building’s scale as it takes shape to support the town’s growing demand for secondary school places.

Concertus and Barnes Construction are delivering the project in partnership with Suffolk County Council, with funding support from Mid Suffolk District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and additional Section 106 contributions. This investment ensures that local development directly supports the enhancement of the town’s educational infrastructure.

Lucie Hernandez, Headteacher at Stowmarket High School, said:

“This is a proud moment for our whole school community. The expansion project will provide enhanced facilities and opportunities for current and future generations of students. Seeing our students add their signatures to the steelwork has made this milestone particularly special, as they are helping to leave a permanent mark on a building that will support learning and achievement for many years to come.”

The expansion is delivering a purpose-built, two-storey teaching block designed to increase the school’s capacity from 900 to 1,200 students, supporting long-term demand for high-quality education provision in the area. The new facilities will include 11 classrooms, a group room, a new hall and modern toilet facilities, providing a flexible and contemporary learning environment.

Charles Coulson, Associate Director at Concertus, said:

“This steel signing provides an opportunity to celebrate the progression of the project and the collaboration of everybody involved. We are proud of the facilities that we are helping to create for the current and future pupils of Stowmarket High School.”

In addition to the new teaching block, the project includes a series of internal improvements across the existing school estate. These works will reconfigure current teaching and support spaces, including upgrades to the existing hall and kitchen within the main building. The Oasis block will also be refurbished and repurposed, bringing older areas of the school up to modern standards.

With the summer break fast approaching, works on site will focus on progressing the building envelope, including roof installation, external cladding and window systems, alongside the commencement of internal mechanical and electrical installations and first-fix activities.

Damien Kerry, Associate Divisional Director at Barnes Construction, said:

“We were delighted to be able to host the event and give councillors, teachers, students and the project team the opportunity to not only view the building coming alive, but to leave their own lasting mark on the project. We are extremely proud to be involved in a scheme that, when completed, will provide much-needed additional teaching and learning spaces, which will help futureproof the school and local area for years to come.”  

The project remains on track for completion in early 2027, when the new facilities will provide additional school places and significantly enhanced learning environments for pupils and staff, supporting the future growth of the Stowmarket community.