A Cramlington-based construction company completed emergency work to transform a former care facility into a temporary school.
Compass Developments was commissioned to deliver the urgent work by Northumberland County Council under the NEPO framework, after the temporary closure of Mowbray Primary School in Stakeford. The school was closed late last year after the identification of structural defects across the building, which was originally built in the 1920s.
Work started in January of this year when Compass Developments met the design team and stakeholders to quickly develop a plan for a ten-week construction programme, transforming the former Foundry House care home in Bedlington into a temporary school.
The works comprised of the alteration and adaptation of the existing single-storey building to provide classrooms, SEND and safeguarding facilities, welfare accommodation, dining areas and general upgrades to circulation spaces, office areas and support facilities.
The scope included demolition, structural alterations, accessibility adaptations, mechanical and electrical modifications, flooring and re-decoration works, installation of new reception classroom toilet facilities, security improvements, and internal reconfiguration throughout the building.
Structural modifications included the removal of existing non-load-bearing partitions to open up existing areas to facilitate the formation of classroom/teaching areas for year 1 to year 6, SEND spaces and group rooms.
Externally, specialist contractors supported Northumberland County Council directly with the complex project by installing new safeguarding fencing and gates, segregated access arrangements, surfacing repairs, modifications to external areas to form play areas, paving repairs, and improvements to pedestrian access and wayfinding.
Stephen O’Neill, director at Compass Developments, said: “This was a complex project with a very challenging timeline, but we responded to the confidence placed in us and delivered on time and within budget.
“Because of the project’s urgent nature, co-ordination and communication was key. We talked daily to Northumberland County Council, the design team and supply chain partners to ensure progress was maintained throughout the accelerated programme.
“I’m proud of the work we did, providing brilliant facilities for the Mowbray Primary School pupils in a very short time period. The project demonstrated our ability to rapidly mobilise and deliver technically co-ordinated, public-sector refurbishment under significant time pressure, but without compromising the highest standards of quality, health and safety and safeguarding compliance.”
Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Northumberland County Council, said: “Ensuring our young people receive the best possible education is crucial, and when issues like this occasionally occur, it’s critical we act fast for pupils, their families and the teaching staff.
“This has been a real team effort and we now have a first-class modern teaching environment which I’m sure will be appreciated by everyone who uses it.”
Meanwhile, the school has recently received a raft of accolades for the quality of its teaching. Andrew Miller, won the Outstanding Headteacher award in the Education North Awards, it was judged Primary School of the Year 2026 at the My Local Awards, was awarded Gold Mental Health Award – Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools and won Bronze in the Young Carers in Schools Awards.
Recent Compass projects have included a £2.5 million contract to restore two Heapsteads from the former Woodhorn Colliery, which now serve as a main attraction within Woodhorn Museum.
Based in Cramlington, Compass Developments delivers construction and development projects across commercial, industrial and residential sectors, specialising in schemes up to £10 million in value. It provides full lifecycle support, including feasibility assessments, design management, project planning and construction delivery. Its growth in recent years has been fuelled by repeat business, long-term client partnerships and a reputation for transparent communication, practical problem-solving and consistent project outcomes.