SME builder and consultant Helix Group has been appointed by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to carry out vital repairs and improvements to Latimer Alternative Provision (AP) Academy.
The Grade II-listed Victorian building is used to provide education for vulnerable and challenging young people, with the aim of supporting them to achieve reintegration back into school, further education or employment.
Helix Group has completed the first two phases of the project that includes installing improved catering facilities and the conversion and re-configuration of existing classrooms and staff areas. Maintenance work is also being undertaken on the roof and windows of the building, as well as removal of two temporary buildings that are on the academy’s site.
The project has been split into phases to minimise disruption to both children and staff. It is expected that the proposed works will complete in September 2021.
Cllr Josh Rendall, Kensington and Chelsea Council’s Lead Member for Family and Children’s Services, said:
“The improvements at Latimer AP Academy will make sure our young people receive the best possible chance to get their learning on track and will enable them to take their education or employment to the next level.”
The project at Latimer AP Academy is one of several projects Helix Group has won since the summer. The most notable one being appointed a place on several frameworks for Octavia Housing, Shepherds Bush Housing Group, Origin Housing, Places for People and Notting Hill Genesis.
Nic Davies, managing director at Helix Group, said:
“It’s great to see local authorities like the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea investing in this specialist local academy. We are delighted to be playing our part in enhancing the building to create a supportive environment for the young people who go here, during some of the most important years of their life, enabling them to achieve their full potential.
“We understand the value of investing in our own colleagues and ensuring that we are in a strong position to create the right job opportunities; especially for more junior members of our team. It is therefore a privilege for us to be able to work on a project supporting access to education for young people during their school years.”
