The project is set for completion in Q3 2026. Credit: BAM.

BAM has been contracted for the construction of Orchards Academy in Swanley, Kent, UK.  

The £32.8m ($40.4m) project aims to deliver a 100% new-build school replacement on a live school site, accommodating 750 pupils. 

The project team includes Bond Bryan Architects, the UK’s Department for Education, Sevenoaks District Council, and The Kemnal Academies Trust.

Construction will comprise two separate blocks: one for teaching and another for the sports hall.  

The scope of work encompasses classroom facilities, indoor sports provisions, and new external soft sports pitches.  

The design prioritises well-proportioned spaces and faculty adjacencies, with integrated furniture and equipment to cater to various learning needs. 

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It will include 1,400m² of photovoltaic (PV) panels, a green roof, and the use of low-carbon concrete in certain structural elements.  

The design also incorporates natural ventilation and sustainable urban drainage systems.

The school will be designed to operate as a net-zero carbon building. 

Modular construction techniques will be employed to minimise disruption to the ongoing school activities.  

BAM construction manager Daniel Brenchley said: “The Orchard Academy will meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability design, aligning perfectly with our own mission of building a sustainable tomorrow.  

“The building’s well-thought-out spaces, providing access to plenty of natural daylight, will create an environment supporting learning and growth for all learning needs. Once complete, the academy will also become an integral part of the community with the school’s modern facilities offering a hub for local sports teams, organisations, and the public.” 

The project is expected to be completed in the third quarter (Q3) of 2026. 

This month, BAM revealed its plans to undertake the £42m renovation of Wrotham School.