Ingleton Wood wins CIF investment for Notre Dame High School in Norfolk Friday, 6th May 2022

We successfully secured significant funding from the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) which supported the investment of new teaching facilities at an ‘Outstanding’ school in Norfolk as part of its commitment to provide a modern and enriching environment.

Ingleton Wood was appointed to manage the project at Notre Dame High School in Norwich, which is part of the St John the Baptist Multi-Academy Trust.

Our Norwich office worked with Notre Dame and helped to secure significant investment from the CIF, a government scheme to improve educational facilities, to design and create a new steel-frame mezzanine area in the St Johns Hall building – providing additional modern teaching spaces and an expanded library area.

The investment included additional building improvement work, such as the refurbishment of existing classrooms, bathroom facilities, and staff work areas.

Thomas Pinnington, Headteacher at Notre Dame High School, said: “Following a thorough tender process, Notre Dame were pleased to work with Ingleton Wood and Coulson Building Group on the mezzanine project.

“Their ability to handle the complexities of the build,and balance the needs of creating modern teaching and learning facilities whilst complementing the historic architecture of the site, was first rate.

“All of this was achieved during the Pandemic, which presented its own challenges, including maintaining year group bubbles. Teamwork has provided a first-rate outcome.”

Our Practice provided full multi-disciplinary services for the project, including Architecture, Building Surveying, Structural Engineering, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and Project Management.

Building Surveyor Adam Johnson said: “We were very pleased to help modernise and expand the already outstanding facilities and learning environment at Notre Dame High School. The investment demonstrates a clear ongoing commitment to ensuring students, staff and visitors have access to first-class facilities and teaching spaces.

“We worked hand-in-hand with the school, the contractors and other building specialists to ensure the project was delivered to the highest possible standards whilst respecting and maintaining the historic character of the existing buildings.”

Coulson Building Group was appointed as the contractors for the project. A spokesperson said: “It was a delight to be able to successfully deliver another project with Ingleton Wood. Although not a large project, the logistics and detailing were complex. Careful thought and planning were required to provide the school with the first floor mezzanine they desired for the benefit of their students.”

Notre Dame High School is an 11-18 highly successful and oversubscribed Roman Catholic school with Academy status. The school is part of the St John the Baptist Catholic Multi Academy Trust (MAT). It is an Outstanding school: one of only 37 EEF Research Schools nationally, and a newly designated Teaching School Hub.

Students and staff who join Notre Dame benefit from a culture which values respect, honesty and kindness. Students benefit from great teaching and staff receive great training, leading to professional development and career progression. Notre Dame prides itself on an outstanding quality of relationship between pupils and staff, and between pupils themselves.

Contact us to learn more about our CIF track record and services.