Froddingham Infants School

GS Kelsey Construction Limited successfully secured the contract to extend and refurbish Scunthorpe’s oldest public school following a competitive tendering exercise via North Lincolnshire Council’s Building Framework. The scheme represented a significant investment in preserving the school’s heritage while modernising its facilities for future generations.

Delivered across six carefully coordinated phases, the project encompassed a wide range of works. These included the construction of a new car park to improve access and safeguarding, the refurbishment of a derelict former headmaster’s house, upgrades to existing classrooms and toilet facilities, the creation of a new-build food hall extension, demolition of two standalone teaching blocks, and comprehensive landscaping to enhance the external environment upon completion.

The new food hall extension was constructed using concrete pad foundations and reinforced ring beams, supporting a structural steel portal frame. External masonry cavity walls and a traditional truss and tiled roof ensured the building reflected the character of the original Victorian stone school. A contemporary glazed link structure was introduced to provide a clear yet sympathetic distinction between old and new, preserving the integrity of the historic architecture while delivering modern functionality.

Internally, the fit-out was designed to create a bright, spacious, and contemporary dining environment. The building also incorporated a fully equipped commercial catering kitchen, purpose-built to serve the new food hall and significantly enhance the school’s catering provision.

Refurbishment of the existing school buildings was undertaken during the six-week summer holiday period. The scale and intensity of the programme presented a considerable logistical challenge, requiring meticulous coordination and resource management. To ensure the new-build and refurbishment works could progress concurrently without conflict, GS Kelsey appointed a dedicated site manager solely for the refurbishment phase. Extended working hours and weekend operations were also implemented to maintain programme certainty and achieve timely completion.

The completed development successfully balances heritage preservation with modern educational requirements, delivering a revitalised campus that respects its Victorian origins while providing high-quality, future-ready facilities for staff and students alike.