--- title: Bedford Academy date: 2025-11-01T04:00:00+00:00 author: Emily Clarke canonical_url: "https://www.sbscladding.com/projects/bedford-academy" section: Projects --- ![DSC03674 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s topaz sharpen Large](/uploads/generic/images/_1440x630_crop_center-center_none/DSC03674-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-topaz-sharpen-Large_2025-10-28-113213_jexo.jpg) - [ Home ](https://www.sbscladding.com/) - | - [Projects](https://www.sbscladding.com/projects) - | - [ Bedford Academy ](https://www.sbscladding.com/projects/bedford-academy) Hardie® Panel Share project # 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](https://gssarchitecture.com/), the project was managed by [Pick Everard ](https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/)and constructed by [Ashe Construction](https://www.ashegroup.co.uk/). SBS Cladding were pleased to supply over 900sqm of [Hardie Panel fibre cement cladding](https://www.sbscladding.com/fibre-cement-cladding/hardie-panel) to the project, which was installed by [Stoneguard](https://www.stoneguard.co.uk/). **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](https://www.sbscladding.com/fibre-cement-cladding/hardie-panel). / 12 [ ![DSC03642 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s topaz sharpen Large](/uploads/generic/images/_1076x650_crop_center-center_none/DSC03642-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-topaz-sharpen-Large.jpg) ](/uploads/generic/images/_1000xAUTO_crop_center-center_none/DSC03642-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-topaz-sharpen-Large.jpg) [ ![DSC03652 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s topaz sharpen Large](/uploads/generic/images/_1076x650_crop_center-center_none/DSC03652-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-topaz-sharpen-Large.jpg) ](/uploads/generic/images/_1000xAUTO_crop_center-center_none/DSC03652-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-topaz-sharpen-Large.jpg) [ ![DSC03674 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s topaz sharpen Large](/uploads/generic/images/_1076x650_crop_center-center_none/DSC03674-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-topaz-sharpen-Large_2025-10-28-114407_pfms.jpg) 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![DSC03681 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s topaz sharpen Large](/uploads/generic/images/_76x76_crop_center-center_none/DSC03681-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-topaz-sharpen-Large_2025-10-28-114414_ltio.jpg) ![DSC03766 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s Large](/uploads/generic/images/_76x76_crop_center-center_none/DSC03766-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-Large.jpg) ![DSC03799 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s Large](/uploads/generic/images/_76x76_crop_center-center_none/DSC03799-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-Large.jpg) ![DSC03866 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s Large](/uploads/generic/images/_76x76_crop_center-center_none/DSC03866-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-Large.jpg) ![DSC03876 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s Large](/uploads/generic/images/_76x76_crop_center-center_none/DSC03876-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-Large.jpg) ![DSC03924 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s Large](/uploads/generic/images/_76x76_crop_center-center_none/DSC03924-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-Large.jpg) ![DSC03942 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s Large](/uploads/generic/images/_76x76_crop_center-center_none/DSC03942-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-Large.jpg) ![DSC03961 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s Large](/uploads/generic/images/_76x76_crop_center-center_none/DSC03961-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-Large_2025-10-28-114616_rfux.jpg) ![DSC04030 Dx O Deep PRIME XD2s Large](/uploads/generic/images/_76x76_crop_center-center_none/DSC04030-DxO_DeepPRIME-XD2s-Large.jpg) Latest Projects Hardie® Panel ![CD8 1505 HR](/uploads/generic/images/_406x410_crop_center-center_none/CD8_1505_HR.jpg) Lloyds Row, London [ View project ](https://www.sbscladding.com/projects/lloyds-row-london) Anvil ![Diana Princessof Wales Hospital 8](/uploads/generic/images/_406x410_crop_center-center_none/DianaPrincessofWalesHospital-8.jpg) Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby [ View project ](https://www.sbscladding.com/projects/diana-princess-of-wales-hospital-grimsby) Hardie® Panel ![Thorn Close 1 Large](/uploads/generic/images/_406x410_crop_center-center_none/ThornClose-1-Large.jpg) Thorn Close, Wednesbury [ View project ](https://www.sbscladding.com/projects/thorn-close-wednesbury)