Ark Conway New Building FAQs

General facts – who does what?

  • Building Contractor: Bowmer and Kirkland Building Services
  • Technical Advisors: 3BM (appointed by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham)
  • Architects: Hunters South Architects
  • Contract for new building between LBHF and Bowmer and Kirkland

  • The Projects team from Ark Central represents and advocates for the school in all negotiations and discussions. Projects works closely with 3BM (technical advisors), LBHF and the EFA to ensure that the building project progresses and does so with the school’s interests as the main driver for all decisions.

What will the process be for communicating with parents?

  • The school notice board in the lobby will be updated with all new timelines plans, designs, landscaping and programme.
  • General updates of building progress will be included in the weekly school newsletter where appropriate.
  • The best opportunity for parents to contribute ideas will be through the Parents Forum meetings with Justine.

What stage are we at with regards to the programme?

  • We have now received and reviewed the final Contractor’s Proposals, the designs which form part of the contract between Hammersmith and Fulham and Bowmer & Kirkland.
  • The confirmation of the contractor’s proposals enabledthe final contract sum to be agreed.
  • On 16 March the EFA began their process of applying for additional funding for all the works associated with the new build including any additional expenses as a consequence of the delayed build.
  • The EFA have confirmed additional funding now. Contractors have already been instructed to begin their mobilisation for construction and confirmation paperwork will not delay this progress.

What is the latest update regarding the statutory utility diversions?

All Statutory Utilities diversions on site are complete! It has been an incredibly protracted process but it is now full steam ahead for the building contractors.

  • National Grid – all works on site are complete.
  • UK Power Networks – all works on site are complete.
  • British Telecom – all works on site are complete.
  • Virgin Media – all works on site are complete.
  • Thames Water – all works on site are complete.

What is the anticipated programme?

  • All the statutory diversion worksare now complete and off site.
  • This now allows B&K to commence works on site on20 July 2016. B&K were instructed to mobilise on 20 June 2016 in order to be ready to begin immediately following statutory diversion completion.
  • Over the Summer, contractors will complete the bulk of their ground works for the new building.
  • The anticipated completion date for the new building is July 2017.

What is the plan for 2016/2017temporary accommodation?

  • Given the delays to commencement of the new development works associated with the statutory service diversions, as previously communicated, we anticipate that the school will need further temporary accommodation for the 2016/17 academic year.
  • In order to ensure limited impact to the school and for no further space to be taken away from the play space from the school, the most suitable temporary accommodation solution isa second classroom located on top of the existing portakabin.
  • We have received planning permission for the additional classroom and will be installedduring the summer ahead of the next academic year (25/07/2016 – 19/08/2016).

What is the plan for additional play space at St Katherine’s Church?

  • The Education Funding Agency (the funding wing of the Department for Education) have submitted a permitted development application to Hammersmith and Fulham’s planning team, to ratify the use of theland at St Katherine’s Church.
  • Following this, planners requested additional information from the Church, which has been provided.
  • We are currently waiting on approvals from the diocese, through their internal process with the board, which unfortunately has been a very protracted process.
  • The funding for the development of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) has been approved and we will be ready to go immediately following diocese and council approval. We will keep you posted as timescales firm up for these works.

How is the school addressing the current traffic and safety concerns?

  • Since the hoarding was erected, parents have raised concerns around safety along the A40 footpath. As this land is outside of theschool site, we have raised these concerns with the technical team at 3BM. 3BM have passed on these concerns to LBHF Highways, however due to the A40and associated footpath beingmaintained by TfL, LBHF Highways do not have the jurisdiction to pass comment of make decisions on any alterations to the TFL network.
  • TfL have responded to the initial concerns raised by parents at the school, however have dismissed the request for additional barriers, due to health and safety.
  • The school has written to TfL outlining its concerns regarding the cycle pathway and the potential hazard this poses to pedestrians around the school. This letter has also been copied to Councillor Sue Macmillan, the Wormholt and White City ward councillor and Cabinet Member for Children and Education.
  • The construction of the turning head to the west of the site has been completed by LBHF Highways. It should be noted that this area is for turning only and should not be used for parking/drop off. The turning head is maintained by LBHF Highways and is subject to parking measures being implemented. The school has written to parents to discourage them from parking in this space during pick up/ drop off periods. If there continues to be congestion here it is recommended that the school contact the Highways team and discuss further enforcement/ monitoring.