Project Overview
The project at Kimbolton Preparatory School encompassed both refurbishment and extension efforts. The refurbishment involved modernising the classrooms for Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 during the summer holidays.
The modernisation created brighter and more spacious learning environments.
This was achieved by installing new ceilings, aluminium entrance doors and windows, flooring, and teaching walls.
Additionally, SDC constructed a six-metre-high entrance atrium, which serves as a link between Aragon House (Reception to Year 2) and the main Prep building (Years 3 to 6).
This new, accessible and welcoming entrance is built with a steel frame and clad in a combination of zinc and curtain walling. It provides a large and flexible learning area with views of the sports fields and surrounding woodland.
Outside of teaching hours, this space doubles as a reception area for Prep School events and opens directly onto Hunter Hall.
The new extension also includes updated school offices and a nurse’s station.
Overall, these enhancements have significantly improved the infrastructure of Kimbolton Preparatory School, offering modernised facilities and versatile spaces for both educational and extracurricular activities.
Edward Valletta, former Bursar at Kimbolton School
“SDC and the team were incredibly flexible towards the school and bent over backwards to be accommodating and “not get in the way”. We could not have had a more considerate contractor. SDC were totally brilliant and could be trusted to design well, build to a high quality, be considerate to the customer and deliver on time and on price. I would be happy to use SDC again, and again.”
Core Team
Gary Wykes
Board Director
Gary started his construction career at 16 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, combining hands-on experience with studies at Kettering and Northampton Colleges, where he earned ONC and HNC qualifications. He later obtained a part-time degree from Nottingham Trent University, completing it in five years thanks to his prior qualifications.
In the mid-1980s, Gary worked with a second company, managing projects in Hatfield and Aylesbury, before seeking a role closer to home. Joining SDC in the late 1980s, he progressed from Quantity Surveyor to Senior Quantity Surveyor and then Manager of the Special Projects Division. During the early 1990s recession, Gary played a key role in restructuring the division, which focused on smaller-scale projects. This effort helped position SDC for long-term success in a challenging economic climate.
Appointed to SDC’s Board of Directors in 2003, Gary oversees the Special Projects Division, manages key projects, and contributes to strategic and financial planning. Between 2004 and 2007, he played a role in transitioning SDC to an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), ensuring stability and employee-centred governance. His leadership alongside the other Board Directors has been pivotal in navigating challenges and ensuring stability.
Gary has fostered enduring relationships with major clients like Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Cambridge, emphasising quality and client satisfaction. Over decades, he has supported SDC’s evolution from a more informal operation to a professional, structured organisation. As the company continues to grow and adapt, he remains committed to supporting its ongoing success and ensuring it is well-positioned to meet future challenges.
Graham Staughton
Special Projects Manager
Graham is one of SDC’s longest-serving employees, having joined the company in 1981. With over 40 years of experience, his career has evolved significantly, and he now leads the day-to-day operations of the Special Projects division. Since his appointment as Department Manager, his leadership and experience have been key drivers in the continued success and growth of the Special Projects Division
David Fairley
Contracts Manager
Grant Thompson
Commercial Lead
Matt Wells
Planning Manager
