Ingleton Wood supports Inspiration Trust’s sixth-form expansion in central Norwich Monday, 28th July 2025

Ingleton Wood is proud to have played a leading role in transforming a long-vacant commercial building on Surrey Street into a vibrant new sixth form centre for the Inspiration Trust. 

Commissioned by the Trust, the project delivers a much-needed educational facility in the heart of Norwich: a development that directly supports the Trust’s mission to expand learning opportunities across the region.

Ingleton Wood were first appointed to carry out a detailed condition survey of the building, which had stood empty for over eight years. Formerly an open-plan office space, the building presented an exciting opportunity to meet the growing demand for sixth-form places and expand the Trust’s city-centre presence.

Following the survey, our multidisciplinary team coordinated the full design and delivery journey, from planning and procurement to on-site project management and handover.

Our team provided a complete suite of services, including architecture, building surveying, MEP and structural engineering, planning consultancy, project management, and contract administration.

Overcoming retrofit challenges

Transforming the outdated office space into a modern sixth-form centre required a considered and collaborative approach. With physical constraints and existing building limitations, the design required creative thinking from the outset.

One key challenge was the creation of a compliant escape staircase in a highly confined space, a critical safety feature that needed to be delivered without impacting the tenants below. Working closely with commercial and industrial services provider, Smart CI Group Ltd, a bespoke solution was developed and seamlessly integrated into the building.

Another significant challenge emerged during the construction phase, when it became clear that the building’s structure required reinforcement. Thanks to effective communication and agile problem-solving with structural engineers JP Chick and the contractor, the design was quickly adapted and works continued to schedule, ensuring the Trust could welcome students in time for the September term.

The installation of a new raised floor system also required technical ingenuity and careful coordination with the contractor, while access issues were proactively managed through detailed planning and regular dialogue with neighbouring tenants.

Benefitting the students and wider community

This project delivers far more than just a refurbished building. It provides Inspiration Trust with a high-quality new sixth-form facility in a central, accessible location that also benefits the wider community. Local businesses are already seeing the positive impact of increased student footfall, and the once-vacant building is now a vibrant hub of activity and purpose.

We’re proud to have helped Inspiration Trust realise their vision and to have delivered another successful retrofit that demonstrates the value of thoughtful design, technical excellence, and collaborative delivery. 

This project is a great example of how reimagining existing spaces can deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients, their stakeholders, and the communities they serve.

Cheryl Ward, Director of Estates and Health & Safety at the Inspiration Trust, commented: 

“This project marks an exciting milestone for Inspiration Trust as we expand Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form with the creation of this satellite site, virtually extending the campus of the school. Our mission is to deliver the very best learning environments and support students to achieve their full potential. This next stage in the development of the sixth form will improve the learning journeys of countless students to come.

We’re grateful to Ingleton Wood for their expertise in delivering this project and helping us bring our ambitious vision for an inspiring space for students to thrive, into reality.”