Tang Hall Primary School

York, Education, Projects

Contract type: Principal contractor

Procurement route: Design and build

GIFA: 237 m²

Timescale: 20 weeks

Product line: SureSpan

The brief

The brief was to build a bespoke modular children’s centre for Tang Hall Primary School.

The challenges

A government initiative to double free childcare for working parents from 16 to 30 hours per week brought a significant rise in demand for nursery facilities. Tang Hall Primary School needed a new facility to meet this growing demand.

The solution

Fully integrated into the existing building, the centre features a pitched roof, bike racks and brick and stone cladding. The building is 12 bays, and comprises two new playrooms, as well as storage areas, WC’s, a lobby and a kitchen area.

Customer testimonial

Pete Dwyer, Director of Children’s Services at the City of York Council, said: “At the time of its opening, the school was seen as ultramodern in its open design. Giving children lots of sunshine and fresh air.’’

Local media said: “The new facility is a sunshine school for York.”

The brief was to remove two temporary classrooms from an open courtyard, then design and build a two-storey, 24-bay modular classroom block.


Thurston was commissioned to design, manufacture and install units to a bespoke specification, from pre-designed layouts for 32 two bed homes.