£3.1 Million Extension Works Well Underway at Beaconside CofE School

Work is progressing well on a significant extension at Beaconside CofE Primary School, which will create additional school places and expand specialist provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The scheme was approved by Westmorland and Furness Council following public consultation and is being funded through Section 106 developer contributions. These funds are provided by housing developers to ensure sufficient school places are available as local communities grow.

Construction remains on programme for completion in Spring 2027, with foundations finished and structural work well underway on both the Key stage 1 and 2 buildings.

The main construction work at Beaconside was originally expected to cost just over £1 million after the council awarded a design and build contract in April 2024, for a total sum of £1,081,857.20.

That figure has now risen to £2,505,681.95 million plus vat, with the overall project cost spiralling already beyond £3.1 million once design, surveys and other associated costs are included. 

The council had said the increase in the contract costs follows detailed design work and updated construction prices, with officers saying early estimates no longer reflected the true scope or current market conditions of the existing school buildings.

Westmorland and Furness Council told Penrith.Town News the project is proceeding as planned with all funding from contributions from developers ring-fenced for investment in education facilities in Penrith including the education contribution from the Carleton Heights development.

A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council said: "Given the ambition for the school to increase its capacity, the design was developed and agreed by the school and the council in early 2025 on the basis that what was proposed met the initial specification and would provide appropriate accommodation to meet the need of the anticipated increased number of pupils.

"Whilst the overall outcomes of the contract have not altered significantly the council's understanding of the school building and what was needed has changed throughout design development with additional works required to enable the project to proceed, provide appropriate accommodation and meet current building standards for a modern school environment.