Brunts Academy

INCO was appointed to provide both architectural and project management services for the transformation of an old caretaker’s bungalow into a purpose-built classroom facility for an academy trust. The project also included the addition of two external outbuildings, bringing the total number of new classrooms to four.

The project was delivered in two planning phases - first, the conversion of the bungalow, followed by the construction of the two new outbuildings. Once planning permission was secured, INCO developed the technical design and construction packs, ensuring the academy trust had everything required to put the project out to tender.

A key challenge was the site’s complex ownership structure—while the academy trust operated the bungalow, the land and wider secondary school site were owned by a separate trust. This effectively meant two different educational institutions operating on the same site, requiring careful coordination to minimise disruption, ensure clear communication, and balance the needs of both trusts throughout the project. Additionally, the existing bungalow contained asbestos, which had to be carefully managed during the construction process.

By bringing in both our architecture and project management teams from the outset, we established a seamless flow of communication, helping the client set clear expectations and rely on our expertise throughout both pre-construction and the build phase. Our project management services included:

• Weekly site visits to monitor progress and resolve on-site challenges
• Monthly site reports providing updates to the client
• Coordination of all parties, ensuring smooth collaboration between the academy trust, the landowning trust, contractors, and external consultants

With a hands-on approach and strategic oversight, INCO successfully managed the project’s complexities, ensuring a well-coordinated and high-quality outcome tailored to the academy trust’s needs.