Category: Construction
EDUCATION construction specialist Stepnell has marked the completion of the UK’s newest, purpose-built prep school boarding house at Bilton Grange Preparatory School.
Leading on the multi-million-pound delivery of Earle House, the co-educational boarding house in Dunchurch, Rugby, aims to lead the way for 21st century prep-school boarding, with children’s comfort and modern lifestyle at its heart.
Delivered by Rugby-based Stepnell, the build features a series of twin to four-bed light and airy bedrooms and en-suites, which will enable more than 80 children in the prep school between seven to 13-years-old to live on site.
The finished works also include a dining room, communal spaces for games and music, large movie screens, complete with a showpiece helter skelter-style slide to transport children between levels. An exterior central courtyard with seating provides a flowing space to connect to its 90-acre park location.
Tom Wakeford, managing director at Stepnell, said:
“Earle House has been an exciting project, bringing together the school’s heritage with the modern needs of today’s pupils. It creates a lasting educational space that balances tradition with a forward-looking approach.
“By drawing on our local supply chain and the expertise of our specialist joinery division, Lawford Bespoke Joinery, we’ve delivered a bespoke and sustainable building that will transform the boarding experience at Bilton Grange.”
Throughout the project, Stepnell and Bilton Grange have supported learning and development initiatives with the pupils, presenting assemblies and classes on architecture, sustainability and careers.
Gareth Jones, head of Bilton Grange, said:
“The close partnership between the Earle House construction team and our teaching staff has greatly enriched our pupils’ learning. Project manager Eddie Cronshaw went above and beyond to support numerous site visits and projects covering sustainability, careers, design technology and more. Every pupil took part in some aspect of the build, and the finished boarding house has exceeded all our expectations.”
