Ravensdale Infant and Nursery School

In October 2020, Ravensdale Infant and Nursery in Mickleover, Derby, fell victim to an arson attack that left the school in ruin.

Within hours of the fire and rescue services extinguishing the flames, Derby City Council had organised an emergency team to manage the crisis. The council appointed Morgan Sindall Construction and Lungfish Architects to assist with the rebuild via the SCAPE Regional Construction framework.

Morgan Sindall Construction and Lungfish Architects had previously partnered to deliver Castleward Spencer Academy, Hackwood Primary School and Highfields Spencer Academy – three similar-sized primary schools within the Derby area.

Working in collaboration with Morgan Sindall Construction, Lungfish Architects and other key stakeholders, Derby City Council accessed SCAPE's Regional Construction framework to ensure speed, certainty and value for money to rebuild the school in the shortest timeframe possible, reopening just 596 days later.

“This is a joyous milestone for all staff and pupils at the school and I am pleased to see the school rebuilt to the highest standards, on budget and on time. This has been possible because of excellent partnership working between Ravensdale School staff, the governing body, and school leadership team, Morgan Sindall Construction, Lungfish Architects and the Council. It was deeply upsetting to see the destruction caused by the fire, but these fantastic facilities will help pupils make the most of the first stages of their learning journey. Losing a school has an enormous community impact, and my thanks go to the schools who offered space for Ravensdale children while the building work was ongoing.”

Councillor Evonne Williams, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills at Derby City Council