Triton Construction has completed the transformation of vacant office premises in Derby to provide a temporary new school for St Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy following an arson attack.

The deliberate fire destroyed the primary school building in Darley Abbey last October and St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust undertook a procurement process to assemble a team able to replace the teaching facility as soon as possible with a medium-term solution until a new school could be built.

Along with the consulting team which included GNA Surveyors and CBP Architects, Triton managed to renovate three floors at St James House off Mansfield Road in Derby to deliver new classrooms, toilets, canteen facilities and play space for 350 children in just 15 weeks from start to finish.


Ian Chapman, Construction Director at Triton Construction, said: "We are delighted to complete this project to allow St Mary's to prepare for and resume teaching after the Easter break. This really was a 'Challenge Anneka' style rescue project where value engineering played a significant part in being able to deliver a speedy solution with budget restrictions.

"The project involved the stripping out and complete refurbishment of the existing office layout on the first, second and third floors, comprising 22,500 sq ft. We also delivered a separate entrance way, new car parking and external play areas with security fencing. The school's ability to respond quickly and make speedy decisions, allowed us to complete the project in just 15 weeks, despite working in consideration of existing occupiers in the building."