1FE primary expansion (+210 places)
Adding a single form of entry (210 places) to an existing 1FE primary, taking it to 2FE. Common basic-need scheme on a live site.
Why an expansion is cheaper per place
A new 1FE primary needs its own hall, kitchen, MUGA, plant room and admin core regardless of pupil number; an expansion plugs an extra teaching block into a receptor school that already has those. The LGA cohort places expansion £/place 5-12% below standalone 1FE new-build[LGA].
Live-site abnormals to budget for
- Phased construction and temporary classrooms during the works (decant cost £550-900/place/term).
- Service-relocation around the existing building.
- Reconfiguration of external play and circulation.
- Out-of-hours working premium where school operating hours are protected.
- Asbestos discovery in tie-in points (always likely on a 1960s-1970s school).
Funding routes
Primary expansions are usually funded through basic-need allocations to the local authority[basic-need] for maintained schools, or through DfE Free Schools[Free Schools] for trust-led places. CIF[CIF] typically funds condition not capacity.
Compare against a new 2FE primary on the new-build vs expansion decision page.