Students take centre stage as Stowmarket High School expansion reaches major milestone - Barnes Construction

Stowmarket High School has reached another major milestone in its expansion, with the new teaching block now watertight ahead of the winter months.

The milestone was marked with a topping-out event, bringing together students, school representatives, local councillors and members of the project team. With autumn bringing wetter conditions, completion of the roof marks an important stage in the project, paving the way for the next phase of construction.

Students also marked the milestone by getting involved in the external blockwork, as work on the building’s envelope continues. The moment gave them an opportunity to play a small part in the development of their new school and celebrate the progress made so far.

Adam Pickering, Head of School at Stowmarket High School, said:

“We are incredibly excited to see our expansion project taking shape. The new building and sports facilities represent an important investment in education for students in the Stowmarket area, and we are grateful to everyone who has helped make it possible. Our students have also enjoyed following the construction journey, from the footings being poured through to topping out, gaining valuable insight into how a new building comes together. We look forward to moving into the new facilities in 2027 and continuing to provide a broad and balanced education for all.”

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 is helping to ensure that growth in the local area is supported by the educational infrastructure needed for the future.

Cllr Tony Gould, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Suffolk County Council, said:

“Reaching this stage of construction is an important milestone for the Stowmarket High School expansion. The project will provide much-needed additional capacity and modern learning spaces, helping to meet future demand for secondary school places and support students and staff for years to come.”

Cllr Andrew Stringer, Mid Suffolk District Council’s Cabinet Member for Heritage, Planning and Infrastructure, said:

“We know just how much additional school places are needed in this area and it’s great to reach the next milestone in a project that will see this delivered. Mid Suffolk District Council has been able to support this project with £4.8m contribution from the CIL fund, which helps local infrastructure keep pace with housing growth, and I look forward to seeing the project come to fruition and the benefit that it will bring to students and their families.”

The expansion is delivering a two-storey teaching block designed to increase the school’s capacity from 900 to 1,200 students, helping to meet the long-term demand for secondary school places as Stowmarket and the surrounding communities continue to grow.

The new facilities will include 11 classrooms, a group room, a new hall, and modern toilet facilities, providing additional and flexible learning spaces for students and staff.

Charles Coulson, Associate Director at Concertus, said:

“Reaching the watertight stage is an important milestone and reflects the progress made by everyone involved in the project. It was particularly special to have students join us to mark the occasion, as ultimately this new building is about creating the additional space and facilities they, and future generations, will benefit from.”

Alongside the new teaching block, a programme of improvements is also being delivered 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 former Oasis block will also be refurbished and repurposed, bringing older areas of the school up to modern standards.

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

“We were pleased to host this project milestone, giving councillors, teachers, students and the wider project team an opportunity to see the new building taking shape. We are proud to be playing a role in a project that will deliver much-needed additional teaching and learning facilities, helping to support the school’s long-term growth and benefit the local community for years to come.”

With the new building now watertight, works will progress internally over the coming months, including mechanical and electrical installations and first-fix activities, with the project remaining on track for completion in early 2027.