Customer: Jo Richardson Community School

Location: London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

Requirement: The Borough decided to build a brand new school to accommodate a significant rise in pupil numbers. However, because a PFI-funded building wouldn't be complete for another three years, the Borough needed an interim solution in time for the new school year and one that could not be distinguished from any other brand new, state-of-the-art school.

Solution: Supplied by Portakabin, the new Jo Richardson Community School was built in less than six months, ready for the September start.

The new school covers 5,000 m² and provides purpose-designed facilities for music, science, maths, languages, ICT, design and technology, and even PE. Classrooms are spacious, to provide pupils with a comfortable and motivational learning environment.

In addition to building the school, the contract included the provision of a soft turfed area for team games, tennis courts and parking spaces for 42 cars. The flexible design of the school building also meant that mature trees in the grounds could also be preserved, which provide a popular feature for staff and pupils.

"Twelve months ago we had no staff, no pupils and critically no school. What has been achieved since then is tremendous. The quality of the Portakabin school building is very good and it will provide an excellent investment in terms of infrastructure and value for many years to come." 

Graham Bramley, Chair of the Governors

"The facilities are simply marvellous, simply fantastic, and I hope the very high standards are maintained throughout. I am very impressed. It is a super building, it really is."

Baroness Boothroyd, Member of the House of Lords, at the official opening of the Jo Richardson Community School

"We are committed at the Jo Richardson School to reaching the highest standards in everything we do. The school has a key role in making students feel happy and secure and this can only happen in a well-ordered and respectful environment where only the highest standards of behaviour are acceptable. The building provided by Portakabin is bright, comfortable, clean and secure, and will help us ensure our goals become a reality."

Andy Buck, Headmaster, Jo Richardson Community School