Bedford Academy
Overview
Bedford Academy has recently undergone a £12 million extension, enabling the school to increase its intake by an additional 300 pupils. The new development includes 16 new state-of-the-art classrooms, changing rooms, dining area and a community café. Designed by GSS Architecture, the project was managed by Pick Everard and constructed by Ashe Construction.
SBS Cladding were pleased to supply over 900sqm of Hardie Panel fibre cement cladding to the project, which was installed by Stoneguard.
Concept to completion
The materials selected for the new build were carefully chosen to complement the existing material palette used elsewhere across the school site, whilst offering a more modern facade finish. The design also proposed robust materials that would ensure minimal maintenance across the building’s life.
Hardie Panel fibre cement cladding was an ideal choice for this project, due to its contemporary aesthetic, durability and low maintenance requirements. Hardie Panel also offers an A2 fire rating and BBA certification, providing peace of mind in an educational environment. Selected in black, the panels were installed vertically around the first-floor elevation to provide a striking contrast with the buff bricks used on the ground floor.
Completed in August 2025, the extension now provides versatile, multi-use spaces for students and staff, that can also be utilised by the community outside of school hours. The building also boasts excellent energy efficiency, which has helped Bedford Academy meet its Net Zero Carbon in operation goals, alongside ensuring reduced running costs.
To find out more about Hardie Panel cladding, click here.
