WATES Construction International has been awarded the Dh150-million ($40-million) contract to build a 1,500-capacity secondary school for Aldar Academies at Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi.

This represents the second educational contract in Abu Dhabi in the past month for the award-winning Wates, which will execute the project along with its joint venture partner Al Fara’s General Contracting. It was recently selected to develop a new extension and upgrade existing facilities at the British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
On completion in mid-2011, the new school will be managed and operated by Aldar Academies, which currently operates three schools in the city – Al Yasmina School, Pearl Primary School and Al Muna Primary School.
Al Bateen Secondary School is set to become Aldar’s flagship school and one of the leading educational establishments in Abu Dhabi.
Its design concept is based around a less hierarchal educational structure, allowing more student circulation and interaction between different year groups. Measuring 24,000 sq m, the new school will feature state-of-the-art classrooms, a swimming pool, library and extensive outdoor sports facilities.
Wates has a strong track record in delivering complex school and college educational facilities. It is one of the leading developers in the education sector in the UK and has built schools and colleges to accommodate 35,000 pupils, including Canterbury College and North Liverpool Academy. It is currently running the day-to-day operations of 26 UK schools.
“We selected Wates due to its proven record in the educational sector, which in combination with the local expertise of Al Fara’a, will help deliver a project that will sustain the highest standards of secondary education in the UAE and contribute to furthering the reputation of Aldar Academies,” said Sami Asad, Aldar COO.
The Al Bateen project team includes architect Dewan, CPG Consultants, quantity surveyor Currie & Brown, structural engineer PJSI Consultants and services engineer Ian Banham and Associates.