The Grange School has firmly established itself as one of this country’s leading independent day schools. A ten year development plan focused on renewal, replacement and refurbishment of the existing temporary and dilapidated accommodation, together with a new supplemental building to provide state of the art facilities.

Phase 4 and 5 of the master plan required the construction of a four classroom building ( phase 4 ) to be completed and occupied prior to the demolition of several existing dilapidated and poorly planned buildings. These were in the heart of the campus and were to be replaced with two linked buildings comprising a music, drama and ICT building and a new performing arts building to include a 350 seat theatre ( phase 5 ).

McGoff and Byrne Ltd were awarded the £3m, 14 month project following a 3 stage tender process, comprising an ITT submission, a pricing document and an interview focussing on proposals to manage the works ensuring the school’s ethos, atmosphere and achievements would not be compromised.

These major works were completed as initially programmed and within the agreed budgets, undoubtedly facilitated by the establishment of clear communications between the school and the site. This was underpinned by a twice weekly meeting between the schools bursar and the Construction Site Manager whereby, amongst other items the logistics of the site for the coming period could be outlined together with any school events, such as trips requiring coaches to be on site at unusual times or exams etc that may require alterations to the logistics plan. Flexibility on behalf of the school and McGoff and Byrne Ltd, together with an informed understanding of objectives undoubtedly resulted in the success of the project for all stakeholders.

The theatre is an imposing steel framed, brick clad, slate roofed circular building sited on a reinforced concrete basement and pile foundations. The latest AV and projection equipment has been incorporated, the building boasts a superb finish with quality materials and an advanced level of acoustic performance. The main entrance features an impressive curtain walling façade, which blends well with the traditional masonry. The choice of materials and standard of construction really are second to none. The music, drama and classroom buidings are of more traditional masonry construction and compliment the impressive theatre, and the existing surrounding Victorian buildings.

The facilities will now place the Grange School at the forefront in terms of music and drama facilities in the North West, a fitting compliment to the schools top table position in the Financial Times’ league tables of independent schools.