ACCELERATING educational development, work on two new schools with an emphasis on sustainability has completed in Bedfordshire, delivering space for up to 1,740 pupils within a growing local community. The regional projects, Wixams Academy and Willow Grove Primary School, form part of an ambitious £100m schools development initiative within Bedford, which is being led by multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard and Bedford Borough Council. Building on its opening in 2017, Wixams Academy, on Green Lane, has been extended to cater for an additional 900 students as part of a £34m project, with the creation of a three-storey teaching block, eight classroom modular block, all-weather sports pitch, and sports hall. Wixams Academy has also received a £250,000 grant from the England Cricket Board (ECB) to enhance its facilities per ECB standards and make the sport accessible to all pupils. The new enhancements include upgraded lighting, flooring, netting, and bowling machines. Meanwhile, Willow Grove Primary School, designed according to Department for Education (DfE) guidelines, is net zero carbon in operation and has space for 840 pupils across a 3.4-hectare site. Claire Peacock, senior project manager at Pick Everard, said: “This has been a fantastic project to be part of and a great opportunity to deliver more school spaces for young people in Bedford. “Wixams Academy in particular now has some industry-leading sports facilities, while Willow Grove Primary School is an exciting new space for younger children to take their early pathways into education. “We look forward to both environments becoming cornerstones of the Wixams community.” Sustainability was a key development objective for both schools, with designated cycle parking spaces and facilities encouraging green travel habits. More than 400 solar panels were installed on the roof of Willow Grove Primary School, helping generate its own renewable energy.                                                                                                                                                       Pick Everard, operating via Perfect Circle, was appointed by Bedford Borough Council under the SCAPE Consultancy framework and delivered project management, quantity surveying, NEC supervisor, and principal designer services on the two projects, working closely alongside principal contractor Willmott Dixon. Stewart Brundell, managing director at Willmott Dixon said: “We are proud to have continued our strong partnership of delivering high quality educational facilities with both Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough councils and our wider partners. “The completion of Willow Grove Primary School, alongside a new sports hall and teaching block at Wixams Academy, is a testament to our education expertise and collaboration. With Willow Grove Primary School delivered from start to finish in just 27 months, this incredible achievement highlights what a dedicated project team can accomplish.” Sean Conneely, director at Pick Everard, said: “These are exciting times in Bedford, which like most places across the country, is striving to meet the demands of an ever-growing population. “With modern and accessible teaching environments housed in a sustainable, high-quality build, both of these schools set the standard in creating lasting legacies in their communities. “It’s been a huge positive to see all this achieved within a short period of time, with families now able to benefit from new and expanded schools close to their homes.” Mayor of Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton, said: “Wixams is continuing to grow into a thriving community, with these new state-of-the-art facilities being an illustration of the bright future which awaits the young people who will grow up here. “Across Bedford Borough, we’re determined to invest in the future, build up and support our communities. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.” In addition to educational projects, the relationship between Pick Everard and Bedford Borough Council has also seen it undertake cross-sector operations in the region, with healthcare centres, heritage works, residential, and commercial projects among its portfolio, alongside the new railway station in Wixams.  For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit: www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The new £5.4m Construction Skills Centre (CSC) at Nottingham College is now complete and open for students, as marked with an official handover last week. The CSC is a new build specialist centre offering flexible teaching and learning facilities that will support the curriculum and estate objectives of the college, meeting the growing need to provide training for construction skilled trades in the local area. Delivered by midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, the CSC will act as a critical educational facility meeting the rising demand for post-16 sector education. The scheme was procured through Pagabo’s Medium Works framework managed by Pagabo on behalf of contracting authority The Education Alliance.    The building is designed to align with the Department for Education’s (DfE) output specification and support the sustainability ambitions of Nottingham College, working towards becoming carbon zero by 2030. The 1,500m² building comprises a large double height construction trades workshop, as well as additional classrooms, a smaller modern construction workshop and associated staff and support facilities. The handover was a great opportunity to highlight the modern facilities the CSC has to offer, helping to support Nottingham College’s commitment to improving vocational education and training for its students. The scheme is the first of two major new additions to the college portfolio that G F Tomlinson has worked on this year, the contractor is also close to completing a new centre for Students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (The Gateway) – a new two-storey building comprising 13 classrooms, a teaching kitchen, dining area and ancillary spaces, as well as associated external works which is due for completion in December this year. As part of G F Tomlinson’s commitment to delivering social value, a total of £1.8 million social value-added was provided on the scheme, calculated using specialist social value tool, Loop. Activities included including organised site visits, regular newsletters and career talks with students from nearby schools. 1,669 apprentice hours, 44.5 apprentice weeks and 779 student engagements were also provided by G F Tomlinson’s construction ambassadors. The company also partnered with Nottingham College earlier in the year and hosted a two-day workshop for their construction students. Using materials kindly donated by Vision Joinery, the students learned valuable carpentry skills by designing and building bird boxes. The workshop not only enhanced the students’ practical abilities but also aligned with joint sustainability goals by supporting local wildlife. 79% of local labour was sourced within a 20-mile radius and 81% local spend within 20 miles of the site. Other sustainability initiatives on the project involved the installation of 60 PV panels, three air source heat pumps and the achievement of 100% waste recycled and diverted from landfill, contributing positively to the local environment and national carbon net-zero agenda. Adrian Grocock, Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the development of this major scheme for Nottingham College, building on our extensive education experience through the Pagabo framework. This project is crucial in addressing the growing demand for skilled trades training in the local area and the centre will not only support the college’s curriculum but also play a pivotal role in upskilling the local workforce to meet the needs of the construction sector within the region.” Carl Ara, Assistant Principal at Nottingham College Basford Campus, said: “A project of this scale was ambitious, making it incredibly satisfying to see it come to life. Watching our students learn and grow in this new space is truly rewarding, and these facilities will elevate our training programmes, empowering young people and adults across the city to excel in full-time study programmes and apprenticeships. “G F Tomlinson has done an exceptional job – completing a project of this magnitude on a busy campus was no small feat. The builders also provided invaluable experiences for our construction students, from site tours and industry talks to hands-on work placements. “As demand for skilled construction workers rises, especially in housing, transport, and renewable energy, our new CSC enables us to equip the next generation with the skills they need for the future.” Adam Brumfitt, Midlands regional delivery manager at Pagabo, commented on the collaboration: “The Construction Skills Centre is poised to significantly enhance the educational experience for students and staff alike, and we are proud to have contributed to its development by ensuring the compliant appointment of GF Tomlinson as main contractor. With the use of social value tool Loop, it’s fantastic to see the bigger impact that this project has had on its local community too.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Greatfields School, in the heart of Barking, East London, has officially been completed as part of a transformational build programme. Net Zero Panels (NZP), a specialised division of Net Zero Buildings and part of the Premier Modular Group, worked with main contractor, Auburn Group, to deliver the third and final phase of the 21,500 sqm development.   The redevelopment, which sits in the former Gascoigne Estate, introduced an ‘inside out’ design for the school, introducing larger classrooms with modern amenities. Teachers are now able to take advantage of flexible spaces according to their teaching needs.   Originally opened in September 2016, the school is the centre of learning for 950 students, and part of a wider campus that caters to over 2,400.   The school recently celebrated excellent GCSE results, with headteacher Richard Paul praising teachers and school leaders for their “unrelenting efforts and the countless extra hours of support.”  NZP is dedicated to providing practical, low carbon panelised solutions to address performance challenges for buildings such as airtightness, structural and thermal issues.   NZP was brought in during the final phase of development, to help ensure the school’s new, permanent location is holistically futureproofed. With fire safety a top priority for the school, NZP worked closely with all stakeholders to deliver non-combustible, fire tested panels with concrete flooring.   Jack Randall, director of NZP said: “It’s amazing to see what has been achieved at Greatfields, a project we’re really proud to say we have worked on. From our perspective, it was important to look at each individual aspect of compliance, including structural performance and sustainability, as a whole.    “Our holistic approach to helping customers helps maintain control over cost, carbon mitigation and emissions, compliance and combustibility, as well as futureproofing projects such as Greatfields School for years to come.”  Mike O’Dell, Construction Director at Auburn Group, commented: “Working with NZP, we knew we’d have a partner that not only came with the exact experience we needed, but could also provide us with big picture support through their deep understanding of net zero as well as the compliance required for projects such as Greatfields.”  The final phase of development was officially opened through a ribbon cutting event.   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Contractor Clegg Construction has completed a £13m expansion project at Carlton le Willows Academy which has created new space and improved learning environments. The first phase of the development at the school in Gedling, Nottingham, involved building South Block – a new two-storey building to provide a state-of-the-art performance space, dining hall, 20 new classrooms, office space and a new main reception which has united the previously split site by linking the East and West buildings. Designed by Welham Architects, South Block has recently been highly commended in the regional LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Building Excellence Awards. Now the second part of the improvements – extensive alterations and refurbishment in various parts of the existing school, including the conversion of the previous dining area and assembly hall into additional teaching space – has also been completed. It marks the fourth project Clegg Construction has undertaken in partnership with the academy. Ross Crowcroft, pre-construction director at Clegg Construction, said: “Clegg Construction has had a long relationship with Carlton le Willows Academy, supporting the school in a number of improvement projects. “We are delighted to have completed these latest two schemes, which provide additional first-class facilities for those already at the school, as well as allowing the school to expand the number of places it can offer to youngsters in the nearby community. “As a Nottingham-based company, Clegg Construction takes particular pride in helping to improve the local education infrastructure and delivering facilities that will benefit future generations.” South Block created capacity for a further 300 extra students at Carlton le Willows Academy to meet increasing local demand for school places. It features a range of smart technology to ensure long-term sustainability, including optimising natural light and using low-energy lighting throughout the building, natural ventilation and cooling, and underfloor heating. As well as the new extension, the project involved the creation of a new car park for just under 100 cars, along with infrastructure for electric charging points. A sustainable drainage solution has also been installed as part of the groundworks, which included an attenuation tank aimed at avoiding any extra burden on the existing public sewers caused by rainwater. Other members of the project team included local businesses: GNA Surveyors, Moran Structural Consultants and Integrated Energy Building Services (IEBS). The development has been funded by Nottinghamshire County Council. During the construction and renovation periods, Clegg Construction took part in a careers fair during the summer term to help students at Carlton le Willows Academy understand more about careers available in the construction industry. The company has a long track record of delivering award-winning educational projects across primary and secondary schools, colleges, sixth form facilities and universities and has worked with Carlton le Willows since 2005 to create science labs, a resource centre, a music and drama extension, refurbish a library building, and build a Sixth Form centre complete with an ICT room and two teaching rooms. Education schemes currently being delivered by Clegg Construction include the £9.6m Centre for Green Technology at Peterborough College – which is set to hand over early next year – as well as the £8.8m Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange at West Nottinghamshire College, which is due for completion next summer. With its headquarters in The Lace Market, Nottingham, Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. The company works with organisations of all sizes and specialties across a range of different sectors. For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

John Graham Construction has been confirmed as the main contractor for the development of the £80m Alkerden Academy, a significant addition to the Ebbsfleet Garden City in Kent. Set on an 11-hectare site within the Whitecliffe Eastern Quarry Development, Alkerden Academy will provide more than 2,200 primary and secondary school places, making it one of the largest educational facilities in Kent. The campus will feature a five-storey secondary school with an eight-form entry and a two-storey primary school with a two-form entry. Designed to benefit both students and the local community, the development will include a community sports hall, extensive sports pitches, parking facilities, and access roads. Construction has already begun, with completion expected by July 2026. Graham’s client for this project, Eastern Quarry Limited (EQL), is a Henley Camland LLP venture—a partnership between Henley Investment Management and Camland Developments. Commenting on the project, Ian Rickwood, Chief Executive of Henley Investment Management, emphasised Alkerden Academy’s role as both an educational hub and a community sports facility. “This academy is central to our plans for Whitecliffe, where we are laying vital infrastructure to support both current and future residents in the community of 6,250 homes in Ebbsfleet Garden City,” he said. Pat O’Hare, Regional Director for Graham, highlighted the academy’s role within the Whitecliffe project, underscoring the positive impact it will have on local education and recreational opportunities. “Alkerden Academy is a cornerstone of the Whitecliffe development, and we’re proud to bring such a valuable resource to the Ebbsfleet Valley. Our team is committed to achieving the highest standards in sustainability and creating an inspiring environment for students and residents alike,” he added. The Alkerden Village area within Whitecliffe is set to offer around 1,700 new homes, along with a market centre featuring amenities such as a supermarket, gym, and Alkerden Academy itself. As the master developer of Whitecliffe, Henley Camland is transforming the 267-hectare former quarry site into three distinct villages—Alkerden, Ashmere, and Castle Hill—each contributing to the wider Ebbsfleet Garden City vision. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A significant milestone in Bolton’s educational landscape was marked yesterday with a sod-cutting ceremony at The Orchards Federation schools. The event signalled the commencement of a £8.6 million expansion and improvement project aimed at enhancing facilities for students at The Orchards Nursery,  Cherry Tree Primary School and Green Fold Special School, which caters for pupils with Autism, Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD.  This ambitious project is a collaborative effort between Bolton Council, procurement partner Clear Futures, and family-owned construction contractor Seddon, demonstrating a shared commitment to improving educational facilities in the area. The project will see the creation of two new extensions providing eight additional classrooms across the Upper and Lower sites, along with internal remodelling to bring existing spaces up to modern specifications. These improvements will increase the schools’ combined capacity from 140 to 185 pupils, addressing the growing demand for SEND and PMLD places in Bolton. The enhancements also include improved outdoor spaces, a new multi-use games area for year-round access, and upgraded facilities such as hygiene suites to meet specific SEND requirements. Katie Hague, Executive Head of The Orchards Federation, said: “This is an exciting project which will further enhance our oversubscribed outstanding provision.  Green Fold continues to be the special school of choice for many families and we are delighted that we will be able to welcome more pupils to flourish with us.  The creation of a purpose built Early Years extension to house our Nursery in the same building as Cherry Tree school and our Green Fold PMLD classes will further enhance our inclusive offer and bring more opportunities for collaboration.  Local families will be able to benefit from this beacon of excellence.” Recognising the unique challenges of working within an operational school environment, Seddon has undertaken extensive pre-construction planning to ensure minimal disruption to the schools’ daily activities. This includes careful consideration of the high volume of mini-buses used for student transport and the four different collection times every day for the on-site nursery. The construction, set to complete by April 2026, will be carried out in seven carefully planned phases, allowing the schools to continue functioning throughout the project duration. Matthew Sargeson, Operations Director at Seddon, commented: “This project exemplifies our commitment to creating spaces that truly make a difference in our communities. By expanding and improving The Orchards Federation schools, we’re helping to provide vital educational opportunities for children with special needs. Our team has worked diligently in the pre-construction phase to ensure that we can deliver this project safely and efficiently while maintaining a conducive learning environment for the students. This level of planning and care will continue throughout the construction process, prioritising the well-being and education of the students above all else.” Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Martin Donaghy, said: “This marks an important phase in the expansion of Green Fold, an outstanding school which provides its pupils with the very highest level of education and support. “Like many areas in the UK, we are seeing an increase in demand for places for children with additional needs. “We want to ensure as many children as possible can be educated in the borough, closer to their families and friends. “As a local authority we are committed to inclusive practice, and the expansion of Green Fold Special School is one element of our wider Belonging in Bolton Strategy which also aims to ensure that mainstream schools are well placed to meet the additional needs of children with SEND.” Rachel Salter, Head of Project Management Office from Clear Futures, said: “Clear Futures is proud to be supporting Bolton Council in delivering additional special educational needs school places for the Orchards Federation.   “As well as bringing fantastic new facilities, the project will also provide apprenticeship opportunities and educational support sessions for young people in the Borough. Delivering this social value for the community is a key part of the strategic partnership between Clear Futures and Bolton Council and just one of the ways we support growth in the area.” Seddon has pledged to achieve £2,250,000 in local supply chain spending throughout the course of the project, further supporting the local economy. Seddon has also committed to at least 100 hours of volunteering and £7,000 in donations to local community initiatives, including support for Bolton CVS and Urban Outreach’s Bolton Lunches appeal. Additionally, the company is providing significant training and employment opportunities, including 56 weeks of upskilling for apprentices and industry placements for T-Level students from Bolton College. The sod-cutting ceremony was attended by representatives from Bolton Council, Clear Futures, The Orchards Federation, and the Seddon team, marking a collaborative effort to enhance educational facilities in Bolton and create a lasting positive impact on the community. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The University of Warwick has unveiled a £700m investment in its West Midlands campus as part of its ambitious Connect Programme. This is the largest single investment in campus facilities across its entire 60-year history.   The unprecedented investment will focus on the Social Sciences and STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and will facilitate an expansion in interdisciplinary education and research opportunities and new courses in both areas. The investment will also support expansion of the University’s purposeful collaboration and partnerships regionally, nationally and internationally.  Today, plans were revealed for phase one of the investment, the STEM Connect Programme. This will see innovative spaces built for new state-of-the-art research and education programmes.   From teaching rooms to laboratories, the facilities will enable the University to build on its innovation and research excellence and enhance its campus experience to create more learning opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students.  Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Warwick, said:   “The Connect Programme demonstrates how we are fostering curiosity and creativity and creating a lasting impact for years to come. We will equip our students, researchers and partners to tackle the urgent global challenges of today and tomorrow.  “As we enter the first phase of the STEM Connect programme, The University of Warwick is leading the way in advancing STEM education and research, to inspire the next generation of innovators. 2025 marks 60 years of The University of Warwick and this investment reaffirms our commitment to making a better world together through our research, education and innovation. We are looking forward to further announcements about our Social Sciences Connect Programme later this year.”  Professor Mark Williams, Academic Director for the STEM Connect Programme, said:    “Through the STEM Connect Programme, we will firmly maintain The University of Warwick’s position as a global powerhouse for STEM, that will pave the way for groundbreaking research and education. The programme will also provide access to state-of-the-art facilities that will deliver both innovation and societal impact.    “We will be creating an environment that will combine excellence with an interdisciplinary culture to create partnerships that will help address the world’s pressing challenges.  This is a hugely ambitious project, and I am looking forward to working with our colleagues, students, business partners and wider community to deliver our vision.”  The Connect Programme will attract and inspire the world’s brightest students and reinforce the University’s internationally recognised research and education work. For nearly 60 years, The University of Warwick has led on a vast array of pioneering research, including innovations to save lives through the early detection of skin cancer and dementia, to raising the profile of social isolation and loneliness as a human rights issue.   The Connect Programme will also strengthen the economy by creating more than 1,500 construction-related jobs over the lifetime of the project, while also working with business, communities and local authorities, across the West Midlands and nationally, to enhance the UK’s knowledge base, skillset and innovation pedigree.  Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:   “Investing in STEM is essential for driving innovation that boosts our economy and creates quality jobs for people across the region. Universities like Warwick that invest heavily in Research and Development and STEM activities are key to achieving this, and their investment will help ensure the West Midlands stays at the forefront of the UK’s innovation and skills-based economy, benefiting both our communities and businesses.”  Cllr Jim O’ Boyle, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change welcomed the investment:   “Coventry has always been a dynamic and innovative city and the University’s investment, announced today, underlines our status. Working in partnership, we are creating the skilled jobs and workforce, as well as the technology and solutions, of the future.  “As part of a major campus investment, The Connect Programme will create opportunity for students and staff, but also businesses, local partners, and the public sector who will benefit from collaborative new relationships.   “The Connect Programme will positively impact the entire city and region and we will continue to work together with the University and other partners to unlock its potential.”  Construction for the STEM Connect Programme is expected to commence over the coming 12 months.   Further announcements on the Social Sciences Connect Programme will be released later this year, including a details of a significant capital project and the launch of new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals