A NEWCASTLE-based chartered surveyors company has been appointed to work on two school projects in Consett and Stockton.

RNJ Partnership has secured work on the schemes, which total £2.7m, to improve the quality of education facilities through renovation and new build.

St Gregory's Primary School, in Stockton, will see a rebuild of the existing school building, providing eight new classrooms and a central IT and library resource hub - as well as a new main hall, kitchen and associated facilities.

The £2.1m project started on site in July 2004, with RNJ Partnership acting as quantity surveyor and planning supervisor.

RNJ will be working alongside architects Darbyshire Architects, contractor Thomas Armstrong, and structural, mechanical and electrical engineers DTA Consulting Engineers.

St Patrick's Primary School, in Consett, will also benefit from a part new build, part refurbishment of its existing school building.

The project will see the construction of six new classrooms, two quiet areas, and an internal courtyard, as well as alterations to the existing building to provide additional toilet facilities and a plant room.

RNJ will act as quantity surveyor and planning supervisor on the £628,000 scheme, which is due to start on site in August 2004, with completion in February 2005.

Architects Darbyshire Architects, structural engineers BDN, mechanical and electrical engineers TGA Consulting Engineers, and contractor T Manners and Sons, will be working alongside RNJ Partnership on the project.

John Gibson, partner at RNJ Partnership said: "There is a growing commitment across the North-East to improve the quality of our educational facilities and RNJ has been involved in a number of education projects in the past.

"We are pleased to be working on these two contracts, both of which have their own unique requirements."

RNJ Partnership has been involved in several education schemes, including those at Westoe Crown village in South Shields, St Mary's Roman Catholic School in Longbenton, St Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic School at Stella in Blaydon, St Patrick's Roman Catholic Primary School in Stockton, St Wilfred's Roman Catholic School in Gateshead, and further afield on a £40m high school project in Bermuda.

RNJ has its head office in Kingston Park, Newcastle, and another in Wetherby, North Yorkshire.

Published: 02/11/2004