This ambitious project in Oakham will result in a brand new secondary college (to replace Vale of Catmose College), a sports centre packed full of the latest equipment and facilities open to the public during the day and evening and a Learning Disability Resources Centre. In addition to this, we’re also looking to improve the facilities already available at Vale of Catmose College with a purpose-built art gallery and theatre. 

The Big Build campus has achieved one of the highest ratings for school design following a review by a nationally recognised body. Plans for the campus have been given one of the top two ratings ('good') by national organisation CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) who advise The Government on major public building projects.

It was announced earlier this year (September 2008) at the Partnerships for Schools annual conference that all secondary schools coming through the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme would have to meet a minimum design standard. Building projects are judged by CABE as excellent, good, not yet good enough, mediocre or poor. Only those in the top two categories are considered to be of an acceptable standard. By September 2008 the CABE design panel had found that of 25 schemes at planning application stage, three were 'good' or 'excellent' with 22 either 'not yet good enough' or 'mediocre'. The Big Build's 'good' judgement makes it only the fourth school in the country at planning application stage to achieve one of the top two ratings.

Artist impressions of the interior of the college have been created, one of which is displayed here.  This and other views are available to download as higher resolution images at the foot of the page. A December newsletter has been prepared and this is also available to download.

Here are a few facts to help set the scene:

• The excavations will cover a large area and will be entirely fenced off from the public to ensure health and safety.
• Working hours are 8am-4pm Monday to Friday. Noise will be kept to a minimum.
• Heavy plant will be in operation for the first week or two. This will mechanically strip topsoil and vegetation and store it to one side. Thereafter the team will work almost entirely by hand.
• The fence-line will ensure public access to the rear of gardens is maintained.
• Work will not be taking place on National Holidays or outside normal office hours.
• The redevelopment main contract is due to begin soon after the archeologists are finished in February.

The Big Build Team would like to apologise for any disturbance or inconvenience caused.

The Big Build Project remains on course for opening of the new facilities in September 2010 following the achievement of a major milestone on the project plan. On Monday 10th November a huge package of information containing the tender requirements for the Big Build was released to the construction companies bidding to win the construction contract. The information, known as 'Employers Requirements' will enable the bidders to prepare detailed cost plans to submit as a formal tender to Rutland County Council.

The tenders will be returned to the Council's Big Build Project Team before Christmas 2008 and award of the contract is proposed to be presented to the Full Council meeting on the 12th January 2009. If approval is obtained construction will commence on site in early February 2009. Note that the pictures of the building elevations above - which show the south and north elevations and the expected view of the building from Barleythorpe road - include a wind turbine that has now been removed from the development.

The Site Master Plan has been updated (Nov 2008) and shows how the buildings will be arranged on the site. This follows the principles of the original plan published in October 2007. The new Sports Centre offering an 8 badminton court hall plus 2 activity studios and a fitness suite will be close to the existing sports hall and pool. A new all weather pitch is proposed plus an outdoor 'MUGA' (Multi Use Games Area) that can host tennis/basketball courts. The College is at the heart of the site and will incorporate a new art gallery and theatre with a ‘community hub’ that provides access to many public services for everyone, from learning and information to leisure and socialising in the café. The College building will also be home to facilities for learning and day opportunities for all.

All the buildings will be integrated by a public piazza with a focus on pedestrian and cyclist routes with planting to soften the development into the surrounding countryside. All cars and buses will come to the site off Barleythorpe Road via Huntsman’s Drive.

The site plan is available as a download to enable you to view all of the detail. Please click on the file link at the foot of the page.

The Site Master Plan and Newsletters are in the Adobe PDF file format. To download and view the file you will need the Adobe Reader software, which can be obtained free of charge from the Adobe Website. Please note the Adobe Website will load in a new browser window.