Work is underway to expand west Loughborough’s educational offering, as national contractor Willmott Dixon has started on site at a new primary school commissioned by Leicestershire County Council. Set to open in September 2027, Garendon Primary School will provide 420 places for primary-aged pupils and, once complete, will help the county council meet growing demand for accessible, high-quality school places in the area.
Procured through the Major Works Framework managed by Pagabo on behalf of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust, the school is being built on a greenfield site previously used as farmland between Dishley and Hathern, at the heart of the Garendon Park housing development. The development has increased the need for additional educational provision in the area.
Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “Having partnered on numerous major construction and regeneration projects, including other schools in the county, we’ve built an incredibly impactful relationship with Leicestershire County Council over the past 20 years.
“We’re proud to be part of creating another high-quality learning environment for the Leicestershire community and driving forward the delivery of another sustainably-focused school. Once complete, this new site will support the local authority’s goal to bring much-needed school places to the county, as it continues to grow.”
Willmott Dixon will use its standardised school design, developed specifically for Leicestershire County Council, on the £11.8m two-form entry facility. The approach is designed to reduce design time, lower costs and minimise waste by repeating and refining a proven model across successive school projects.
A strong emphasis has also been placed on sustainability and energy efficiency. Careful consideration has been given to building materials and quality standards aligned with current building regulations. The school will feature a 300 sq m photovoltaic array on the roof to help generate renewable energy and support the building’s operational efficiency.
Construction is scheduled for completion in July 2027, ahead of the school welcoming its first pupils in September that year.
Cllr Charles Pugsley, cabinet member for children and families at Leicestershire County Council, said: “We have a growing county and our priority is making sure that new schools in Leicestershire are put in the right place.
“The start of work on Garendon Primary School by Willmott Dixon is a major milestone in the step for this new community, and we’re looking forward to the school welcoming students next year.”
As part of its commitment to delivering social value, Willmott Dixon will support local students and schools through a range of initiatives designed to encourage interest in the construction industry. These will include apprenticeship opportunities, laptop donations, enrichment programmes and mock interview workshops.
The project builds on a relationship between Willmott Dixon and Leicestershire County Council that spans two decades and has seen the contractor deliver a number of primary schools across the county. Previous projects include Hollycroft Primary School in Hinckley, Leicestershire’s first school designed to be net zero carbon in operation, and the £9.3 million Wellington Place Primary School at the Airfield Farm development in Market Harborough, which opened to pupils in September 2024.