New Classroom Extension

The Requirement

Leeds City Council needed to extend Harehills Primary School to provide an additional 210 places ahead of the start of the new academic year.  This would expand the total capacity to 630 pupils to meet the growing population in the area.


The Solution

Foremans Relocatable Building Systems was appointed by Leeds City Council to provide the new extension - its ninth building project for the council.

The scheme for Education Leeds was delivered in two phases to meet the school's accommodation requirements. 

A two-storey modular building was fully refurbished and fitted out to accommodate nine general classrooms and one IT suite, toilets and a lift. 

It has been partially clad in timber to help integrate it with the surrounding residential area and both phases were craned into position during school holidays to minimise any disruption to teaching.

Since the completion of the project at Harehills, Foremans has been awarded another contract for Education Leeds to provide a four-classroom extension at Crossley Street Primary School.  This permanent single-storey building will be finished in brick cladding and will adjoin the existing school.


Comments from the Client Team

Lesley Dolben, Head Teacher, Harehills Primary School:

"This is a fantastic new building.  Foremans have worked well with us, were sensitive to our needs, and their project management team was excellent. The construction has not impeded the running of the school in any way, and we are very pleased with the classrooms which are great in terms of size and usability.  They are light and airy and very pleasant to work in.  The building feels substantial and not at all relocatable, and is significantly better than the accommodation we had previously."

Derek Vest, Education Officer at Education Leeds:

"Foremans only supplies quality pre-owned modular buildings, such as Portakabin and Yorkon products, which are tried and tested.  And because the modules are fully refurbished, it is very difficult to tell the finished building from new."

"The approach gives us the quality of accommodation we need for schools in the area and to a tight budget.   Other benefits include reduced construction time, less disruption to teaching, and because the buildings we use are recycled, it is very sustainable.  This type of construction also lends itself to constrained sites such as Harehills, where there is little space for heavy plant, equipment and storage of building materials."

"The Foremans team is well organised, professional and have a well established supply chain to offer a full package of construction services."