MP visits site of Rugby’s first all-through school at Houlton as construction work gets underway
Rugby MP John Slinger has visited the site of the town’s first all-through school as building work gets underway on the new facility for families in the area.
The visit to Houlton School - which is being expanded to add new primary learning facilities, educating children from Reception through to Sixth Form - came as applications are now open for primary places for September 2026.
Urban&Civic, the master developer behind the Houlton community, has designed the primary school for Transforming Lives Education Trust (TLET) as part of its masterplan to meet local growth and increasing demand for places.
Construction work by partner Stepnell has now started following the confirmation of plans earlier this year. The standalone two-storey, timber-framed structure will feature 14 classrooms, a main hall, kitchen, and a range of ancillary rooms, using Stepnell’s experience in energy efficient buildings to create a site that meets the Passivhaus leading international design standard.
Mr Slinger, MP for Rugby, visited the site on Monday, 8th December, where he was shown around the site that will become the borough’s first all-through school by September 2026. His visit also comes after an open evening for the new provision attracted an impressive turnout of prospective parents.
The Rugby MP also had the chance to see firsthand the community at Houlton and soak up some festive cheer thanks to homes and public spaces that have been decorated ready for Christmas.
Johanne Thomas - Regional Director for Communications, Communities and Partnerships at Urban&Civic, said: “We are really excited to be taking on the next chapter in this iconic building’s transformation and adding to the Houlton School campus with primary provision. We are equally excited to be working with local contractor Stepnell who bring a wealth of expertise in school construction and a great local connection to the area and its future growth.
“It was great to be able to show our local MP all of our plans, and let him see firsthand what a thriving community Houlton is, especially at this time of year with plenty of festive fun on the cards.”
Sian Hartle, Director of Education at the Transforming Lives Educational Trust , added: “This really is a very exciting development and we are looking forward to seeing the building come to life. We can’t wait to welcome the 30 Reception children who will be able to thrive in the buildings from September 2026. Plans really are gathering pace.”
As part of Stepnell’s commitment to delivering lasting social value, the project team will be working with the Urban&Civic community development team to engage across year groups to provide on-site learning experiences, careers advice, and employability support. The team will also work closely with the wider community to identify meaningful volunteering opportunities that further enrich local development.
Graham Lambert, director at Stepnell, said: “Stepnell’s work on this landmark expansion at Houlton School will deliver a first-class primary learning environment that integrates seamlessly with the wider school. Our expertise in Passivhaus standards and modern timber construction, reflects our commitment to responsible and innovative building.”
Stepnell is implementing measures to minimise disruption to the existing school community, with construction utilising indirect access routes via the wider Houlton development, avoiding school grounds and ensuring safety and continuity during the build.