SEAX Trust provides high-quality education for children and young people with a range of learning needs. To support its commitment to offering hot, nutritious meals for all pupils, including those with moderate learning difficulties, the Trust commissioned a new build catering extension at Thriftwood College.
Barker’s Project Manager, in-house Architects, and Engineering team collaborated closely with the Principal Contractor to deliver a robust, efficient and visually cohesive kitchen extension within a strict budget.
The Trust required a modern catering facility capable of producing hot meals on site for every student. The goal was to create a compliant, high-quality kitchen extension using cost-efficient, low-maintenance materials while ensuring long term durability.
Barker were selected for our specialist education expertise, our integrated architecture and engineering capability, and our reputation for delivering value for money on challenging school sites.
The project faced several complex planning constraints, requiring careful design responses and proactive engagement with the local authority. During groundwork, the team uncovered hidden services beneath the proposed footprint, prompting multiple redesigns to avoid significant programme delays.
Barker’s Structural and Civil Engineers acted swiftly, developing an alternative substructure solution that maintained design integrity.
Working closely with the contractors, the team assessed cost implications in real time, keeping the project as close to budget as possible. The school’s flexible access arrangements and continuous stakeholder communication helped maintain momentum during construction.
The new extension was delivered to a high standard, meeting all compliance requirements and providing a durable, future-ready facility.
The school now benefits from a modern kitchen capable of producing fresh meals on site, improving the overall student experience.
The Trust praised the collaborative approach, minimal disruption to learning, and the quality of the completed space.
