Tower Hamlets Council's Cabinet has approved the award of a construction contract for the expansion of Beatrice Tate School, a specialist facility for children with severe learning difficulties.
The contract, valued at £6,319,887.85, has been awarded to Alexander James Limited. This expansion is set to provide an additional 60 places, addressing the growing demand for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision within the borough.
The project is projected to save the council approximately £6 million annually by reducing the need for out-of-borough placements and associated transport costs. The expansion will also support nearby housing development proposals by enabling the school to vacate the Southern Grove site, which is earmarked for housing.
Originally approved with a contract value of £5.5 million in February 2024, the project's cost has increased by £820,000 due to unforeseen structural stability issues discovered during site investigations. These issues, coupled with a three-year delay, have led to inflationary cost increases.
Construction works are scheduled to commence immediately to maintain the target completion date of Q4 2027, ensuring the new facilities are available for the start of the 2027 academic year. No further timeline details beyond this completion date are provided. The Cabinet's urgent approval was sought to avoid further cost increases and disruption to school operations.
More information on the council's financial performance and projections can be found in the Public reports pack.
