School Extension – The Start of Something Big
The Department of Education building section approved a school extension in 2019 under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2019 for a 2 x SEN Base (439m2), 1 x 10.5m2 WC for assisted users and 2 x 2m2 standard WC (18.56m2) and 1 x 15m2 SET Room. The value of this project was €1,175,000 (inclusive of fees ad VAT).The tendering process was carried out by Orla Leydon on behalf of the Board of Management. Maguire Architects were appointed to the Architect Led Design Team on 11 December 2019. Work was commenced by Maguire Architects on drawings and preplanning for the new extension. (1st Design and 2nd design and April 2022 Revised Drawing)
As the scope of our Special Class provision increased, the Board of Management requested that the school extension increase also. In March 2021 the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme increased the brief to 1 x Mainstream Classroom including ensuite 3 Classroom SEN Base and 1 x SET. The value of this project was €1,712,000 (inclusive of VAT & Fees). The Department of Education notified the Board of Management that a new tendering process was not required for this uplift. Maguire Architects remained as the Design team Leader, PSDP and Assigned Certifier. Maguire Architects then prepared a new set of drawings in February 2024 to include a small 2 storey section. (Revision C – Feb 2024)
In August 2024 the Board of Management were issued a letter from the Additional School Accommodation Scheme which approved a further uplift in our school extension. This letter superseded all other correspondences. In the letter dated 22 August 2024, Scoil Mhuire Naofa was approved the provision of 1 x Mainstream Classroom including ensuite toilets, 1 x SET Room and a 4 classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) Base. The funding allocated to this project is in excess of €4,000,000. The substantial increase in funding placed our project in the Type 2b(1) category with a Notional Capital Value (estimated construction cost exclusive of VAT) of €3,500,000. While the uplift was welcome, it presented an issue for the Board of Management as the project required a full retendering process. Much to our disappointment, Maguire Architects who had worked so diligently on our project were not permitted to retender. Type 2b(1) projects are tendered from an internal Department of Education list.
Retendering commenced in Autumn 2024 with Michael Cregan from The Joint Managerial Body (JMB) appointed to assist the Board of Management. The following were appointed to the new Design team:
- Keys and Monaghan Architect & Assigned Certifier
- Mc Carthy Keville O’ Sullivan Ltd. (MKO) PSDP Services
- Downes Associates Civil & Structural Engineer
- Geaney Engineering Consultants Mechanical and Electrical Engineer
- Leonard Gildea Chartered QS Quantity Surveyor
The Initial Design Team meeting took place on 21 January 2025 with all of the Design Team present, the principal and deputy principal, members of the Board of Management, members of the Parents’ Association and Michael Cregan (JMB).The Client is the Board of Management and the Department of Education are funding the project. The total floor area sanctioned is 844m2 but this will increase to include a mandatory changing places toilet and a small amount of circulation area. The external space allocated for soft play is 250m2 with an additional sensory play area of 100m2. At the Design meeting the issue of insufficient parking for staff was raised in conjunction with the potential relocation of the community playground.
The process for the project was outlined by Michael Cregan (JMB) and Eamonn Monaghan (Keys and Monaghan Architects) as follows:
a. Stage 1 Preliminary Design – seeking approval to develop the design for the preferred option. Sometimes approval is granted to proceed to statutory approvals
b. Stage 2a Developed Sketch Design – seeking approval to proceed to Detailed Design, applications for statutory approvals and preparation of tender documents
c. Stage 2b Detailed Design - seeking approval to proceed to tender
d. Stage 3 Tender Action - seeking approval to appoint a Contractor and proceed to Stage 4,
e. Stage 4 Construction.
Surveys
Eamonn Monaghan (Keys and Monaghan Architects) has been working closely with the Board of Management and school management regarding the school extension. As part of this process, several surveys were required.
Keys and Monaghan carried out the tender process for the first survey. A contract was signed by the Board of Management with Benchmark Surveys to complete a Topographical Survey once the tendering process was complete. The survey was carried out in April and May 2025. (see pictures attached)
Downes Associates carried out the tender process for the second survey for a Geotechnical Site Investigation. The contract was signed by the BoM with IGSL following the tender process. This geotechnical Site Investigation involved the following: (See pictures)
- Borehole tests, trial pits and associated in-situ standard penetration tests.
- Soil sampling for laboratory testing inclusive of testing for pH and the presence of chlorides and sulphates.
- Suite of chemical testing of soil/water samples to establish any contamination in the soil.
- Monitoring for groundwater/gas ingress/levels in boreholes.
- Soakaway tests
- Preparation of borehole logs, etc, including GPS positioning (level and coordinates) of each borehole location.
- Preparation of an interpretive geotechnical report with recommendations on excavations, foundation/retaining wall construction, floor slabs and external pavements.
