Caddick Construction has reached completion of a new campus for the University of Cumbria in Barrow, forming part of the university’s investment in engineering, advanced manufacturing and health. The dockside campus, which spans 2.6 hectares, has a unique design inspired by Barrow’s maritime heritage and includes accessible and flexible teaching spaces, offices and catering facilities. Now launched, hosting higher education provisions from the Institute of Engineering, Computing and Advanced Manufacturing, and the Institute of Health, the striking new development includes exhibition and meeting spaces and specialised workshops. Designed with sustainable measures incorporated, the campus includes features to optimise natural light, solar panels to power mechanical services, a cloud BMS system and an air source heat pump to eliminate the need for gas. The new building, which has been designed to resemble a submarine surfacing from water, includes a bespoke rain screen cladding system and curved roofline with glazing, all of which have achieved a U value of 0.15W/m2k. Throughout construction, Caddick also created £1.8m of social value for the community by partnering with a range of organisations and charities. This included support for a school reading programme led by Hello Future, as well as donations made to the Furness Homeless charity, which is dedicated to providing wrap-around support for adults facing homelessness Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction North West, commented: “We’re proud to have delivered this landmark project, which sets a new benchmark in educational design and demonstrates the power of construction when it’s rooted in community impact. Beyond the campus itself, we’re especially proud of the social value created by the team in Barrow, which has ensured the benefits of this project extend well beyond its walls.” University of Cumbria’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Brian Webster-Henderson OBE, said: “The opening of our Barrow campus marks a transformative moment for both the University of Cumbria and the town itself. It is the result of nearly a decade of collaboration, vision, and belief in Barrow’s potential. This development directly supports our T2030 strategy, focusing on place, people, and partnership, by expanding access to higher education, nurturing local talent, and strengthening ties with industry and community. Barrow is now a university town, and that unlocks new possibilities for regional growth, national resilience, and lifelong opportunity.” The University of Cumbria adds to a growing portfolio of education projects being delivered by Caddick across the North West, including the newly completed 24,000 sq. ft expansion of Loreto College in Hulme.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Bouygues UK is proud to announce its recent selection as the main contractor for the redevelopment of the Rosedale College site, awarded by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of the School Rebuilding Programme. Located in the London Borough of Hillingdon, this significant project will enhance Rosedale College, futureproofing the campus as a leading technology and applied learning specialist institution. The redevelopment involves demolishing outdated 1960s structures and replacing them with modern facilities, including new teaching and performing arts blocks, a comprehensive refurbishment of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) block, enhancement of sports fields and Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs), providing contemporary dining and social canopies, and new infrastructure. Temporary accommodation will also be removed to reinstate the sports field. Bouygues UK will be supported by Stride Treglown and NVB Landscape as part of the design team. Mark Cesenek, Managing Director at Bouygues UK, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are excited to work with the DfE and deliver a transformative project for Rosedale College, to create a vibrant and progressive learning environment.” Stewart Duguid, Chair of the Rosedale Hewens Academy Trust said “We are delighted that the Department for Education (DfE) has chosen to support Rosedale College in this transformative rebuild project. This investment marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide an exceptional learning environment for our students. Bouygues UK has demonstrated a deep understanding of our vision and values, and we are confident they will deliver a campus that truly reflects the aspirations of our college community.” A key feature of this project will be its dedication to achieving net zero carbon in operation, highlighting the importance of sustainability to the Department for Education and Bouygues UK. Regarding social value, Bouygues UK will run the ‘Adopt a School’ initiative led by Class of Your Own, supporting the award-winning Design Engineer Construct! (DEC) Learning Programme. This initiative ensures active engagement of children and young people, nurturing their skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm for pursuing careers in the Built Environment sector. They are empowered to understand the positive impacts they can make on society and the natural environment. This project demonstrates Bouygues UK’s commitment to excellence in educational infrastructure, supporting the development of innovative learning environments in the UK. It is set for completion in Autumn 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Bouygues UK proudly announces a pivotal milestone in the transformation of Stanmore College, with the construction project successfully reaching topping out – the highest point of the new building structure. This significant achievement marks a crucial step forward in delivering the £60 million state-of-the-art further education facility, funded by the Department for Education’s Further Education Improvement Programme under the CF21 Framework. The topping out ceremony symbolises the emerging reality of a transformed educational environment that will serve thousands of students for years to come. With the structural framework now complete, the project moves into the next exciting phase of creating inspiring learning spaces designed to enhance student outcomes and opportunities. “Topping out is always an incredibly proud moment for our team, but this project holds special significance as we’re constructing the future of further education in this community,’ said Mark Cesenek, Managing Director at Bouygues UK. ‘Our standardised ‘kit of parts’ approach, combined with our commitment to net-zero principles, is creating a building that will be flexible, sustainable and designed to inspire learning“ The ambitious project involves complete reconfiguration of Stanmore College’s existing site, replacing four outdated buildings with four cutting-edge new builds. Utilising Bouygues UK’s proven educational building methodology, the new facility integrates sustainability principles whilst ensuring an efficient and timely build. Beyond the physical construction, the project is already delivering educational value through innovative partnerships. Bouygues UK has inducted its first cohort of T Level students into Design Surveying and Planning internships, developed in collaboration with social enterprise Class Of Your Own. The second cohort will include students from Stanmore College. These internships form part of the award-winning ‘Design Engineer Construct!’ learning programme, giving future professionals hands-on experience with cutting-edge construction projects. “The college’s Principal Anette Cast expressed her enthusiasm about the progress:  ‘The speed and quality of this build is amazing. It’s inspiring to see the new campus taking shape so quickly and to such a high standard. This transformation will give our students access to world-class facilities and create opportunities that will benefit the wider community for years to come.“ With construction progressing smoothly towards the 2027 completion date, the topping out milestone demonstrates Bouygues UK’s commitment to delivering high-quality educational infrastructure to the Department for Education. The new facility will feature modern teaching spaces, advanced technical workshops, and collaborative learning areas designed to meet the evolving needs of further education. The project reinforces Bouygues UK’s position as a leading contractor in the education sector, with a proven track record of delivering inspiring and sustainable learning environments across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has completed the landmark refurbishment of Barnsley College’s University Centre, redeveloping the 93-year-old art-deco building into the new South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (IoT). Marked with an official opening ceremony held on the 25th September, the building was officially opened by Barnsley MPs Dan Jarvis and Dr Marie Tidball – who joined College representatives and stakeholders including GF Tomlinson, AECOM, Salix, the Department for Education (DfE), and the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT). The iconic building, originally erected in 1932 as Barnsley Mining and Technical College, has been reimagined as a future-ready learning environment for higher-level education, innovation and sustainable development, providing capacity for more than 1,000 students and staff. The multi-million-pound project delivered on behalf of Barnsley College, was funded through a combination of Department for Education (DfE) investment, college capital funds, and additional sustainability upgrades supported by a successful Salix decarbonisation bid. The transformation has included the refurbishment of the former open-air college courtyard into a fully enclosed atrium, complete with a new glazed roof to create a bright and central hub which houses a modern Learning Resource Centre, set across tiered mezzanine floors. Spaces link to specialist IoT teaching facilities and include bespoke areas for flexible, digital and collaborative learning. On the ground floor a new café and breakout zone is available for students to enjoy. A key focus of the project was to embed sustainable technologies and low-carbon upgrades throughout the building, and a total of 100 photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roof, generating up to 29.73 kWp of renewable energy to offset electrical demand. An efficient all-electric Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system provides simultaneous heating and cooling in different zones, replacing the old gas boiler plant. Two new air handling units have been added to the roof, and two existing units have been refurbished to support ground floor systems and enhance the ventilation strategy for the new facility. Further sustainability interventions include LED lighting throughout, point-of-use electric water heaters, and secondary glazing to all external windows to improve airtightness and reduce heat loss. Approximately 3,238m² of insulated plasterboard has been applied to internal walls, alongside new roof insulation across all four roof areas. Electrical infrastructure has also been upgraded with a new substation to support increased demand and solar energy export. These combined measures have resulted in an EPC asset A rating making it a highly energy efficient building – a notable achievement for the refurbishment. The completed building now stands as a benchmark for low-carbon retrofit in the education sector, combining renewable energy, modern insulation, and all-electric systems to support decarbonisation and long-term operational efficiency. G F Tomlinson also prioritised delivering social value throughout the project and the team engaged directly with the local community, providing eight student site tours involving over 100 learners, 22 mock interviews, and hosting five staff tours with 44 members of college personnel. The project team participated in four local job fairs, supported the Barnsley Apprenticeship Conference, sponsored the Sustainability Award at the Barnsley College Excellence Awards and donated to St George’s Church Food Pantry. In addition to its community engagement, the project delivered strong local economic benefits – 63% of the workforce was sourced from within 40 miles of the site and 84% of total spend was retained locally within 40 miles. Across the construction phase, over 8,000 miles were travelled by low-emission vehicles or on foot, and 15.6 apprentice weeks were delivered on-site. The project was also awarded a top score on the Considerate Constructors Scheme of 45 out of 45. The South Yorkshire Institute of Technology is part of a national network of 21 IoTs, bringing together further and higher education providers with employers to address regional and national skills gaps in sectors such as engineering, health, digital and construction. The Barnsley site is a key part of this initiative and is being delivered in partnership with Barnsley College, Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre, DN Colleges Group, the Sheffield College and RNN Group. Adrian Grocock, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to deliver this landmark facility for Barnsley College and the wider South Yorkshire IoT. This world-class learning environment reflects the very best in heritage refurbishment, sustainability and future-ready education design. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with the client team to deliver a project that meets high technical aspirations while generating lasting benefits for the community.” Barnsley College Principal and Chief Executive Officer David Akeroyd said: “The opening of the University Centre is a landmark moment for higher-level education in Barnsley and the wider region. “This project has been years in the making and represents the hard work, vision and commitment of so many colleagues and partners. Together, we have taken a unique building that once stood as a symbol of Barnsley’s mining and technological excellence and reimagined it for the future, while keeping it where it has always historically been – at the cutting-edge of technical education. “This is an exciting time for the College and all our partners involved in the South Yorkshire IoT – as we look ahead to a future in which our hard work has led to increased opportunities for retraining and upskilling, more accessible and higher-quality jobs, and a productive workforce who are skilled in the right areas.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A new £8.8m educational facility in the heart of Mansfield is set to prepare young people for careers in key industries while helping local businesses grow. West Nottinghamshire College officially launched its latest centre, the Mansfield Ambition Exchange, with educationists, students, civic leaders and employers praising the project. Built by Nottingham-based Clegg Construction, the state-of-the-art building at the Chesterfield Road campus delivers courses up to level 3 and will accommodate more than 350 students studying business and T Level professional construction programmes. The centre will strengthen the college’s long-established industry links, enabling students and employers to collaborate on real-world projects. It will also act as a strategic hub for business engagement, hosting conferences, masterclasses, roadshows and events alongside partners including Nottingham Trent University (NTU), Mansfield and Ashfield Business Network (MABN) and East Midlands Chamber. In addition, the centre will provide a space for knowledge-exchange between the college, university and local businesses – with events offering insights into future trends, technological opportunities, and support for product and process innovation. The flagship project aims to equip Mansfield and the surrounding area to meet future labour market needs, address skills gaps, and create well-paid jobs in emerging industries. Businesses will also benefit from access to support and a pipeline of skilled talent, helping them enhance competitiveness and efficiency. Senior leaders from the college, NTU, MABN, Clegg Construction and Mansfield District Council, Executive Mayor of Mansfield Andy Abrahams, and college students came together to unveil the building. This coincided with MABN’s monthly business breakfast networking meeting – the first employer event to take place in the centre – where the Mayor, college principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley MBE, and MABN chair Ian Jephson addressed an audience of local business representatives. Darren Chapman, operations director at Clegg Construction, said: “As a Nottinghamshire-based company, Clegg Construction was proud to have been appointed to deliver this exciting expansion for West Nottinghamshire College. “We are very pleased to see how well the Mansfield Ambition Exchange has been received now that it is operational, and we are particularly happy to see that it is accommodating the T Level professional studies in construction course – helping to train the next generation of construction experts. “Being born and bred in Mansfield, and having attended the college as a teenager to study construction, this is a project that’s close to my heart.” Mansfield Ambition Exchange spans 1,343 sq. m. of high-quality teaching space including classrooms, IT suites, a Learning Resource Centre, and a T Level room that doubles as a conferencing facility. Flexible spaces support meetings, events and independent study. Located at the rear of the college’s sixth-form building, the centre spans two levels to accommodate the site’s natural slope. Light wells bring daylight into the lower ground floor, while heat recovery and variable refrigerant flow systems maintain a comfortable learning environment. Upgraded car parking and modernised landscaped areas create a welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors. Clegg Construction carried out the 16-month build, hosting T Level student Archie Martin on an industry placement during the construction phase. The 17-year-old is now among the first cohort of learners to study in the purpose-built centre. The facility sits adjacent to Ashfield House, an early 19th-century Georgian building now being transformed into a student services hub, linking Mansfield’s history with its educational future. The stone portico from the former School of Art building on the site was carefully removed, preserved and incorporated as the main entrance to the new centre, maintaining the site’s historical character. Mansfield Ambition Exchange has been made possible thanks to £4.3m from the UK Government’s Towns Fund, £3.8m from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (now part of the Department for Education), and £734,000 from the college and NTU. It is among several major schemes being made possible through Mansfield’s £12.3m Towns Fund allocation secured by the Mansfield Place Board with the support of Mansfield District Council. Other projects include the Warsop Health Hub, Destination Mansfield and work to make Berry Hill Park a Destination Park. Andrew Cropley MBE, principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College and chair of the Mansfield Place Board, said: “It’s great to celebrate the opening of Mansfield Ambition Exchange, which is already providing a great experience to over 350 young learners on our business studies and professional construction courses.  “This excellent facility also gives us a great venue to offer technical courses to adults wishing to take their career forward or in a new direction, and to support businesses to prosper and grow. We will work closely with our partners at Nottingham Trent University to ensure this is an exciting and ambitious offer. “I’m delighted to see the Mansfield Place Board deliver another major project. Mansfield Ambition Exchange will support the ambitions set out in the ‘Make it in Mansfield’ strategy to grow our economy and create opportunities for local people. “I’m confident that the range of courses and events hosted in this building will raise the aspirations of businesses in the area, help them develop their plans, and then support them in turning those plans into reality. Meanwhile, the courses offered in the centre and across the wider college will support local people to seize the opportunities that emerge. “We already have several such events and courses planned, and we look forward to working with colleagues at MABN, NTU, East Midlands Chamber and others to bring them to life.” Executive Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, said: “The Ambition Exchange puts opportunity where it belongs – on our doorstep. This college site has come full circle, from cherished memories to a new sixth-form hub in 2021, and now to a place where education, enterprise and community meet. “Our goal is simple: equip people with the capabilities our economy needs and energise the town centre while we do it. If we want streets that are lively all week and into the evening, we must attract, develop and retain our young people – students, apprentices, founders and early-career professionals – because footfall follows opportunity. “When

Graham Construction has been appointed main contractor for the new Oasis Academy Temple Quarter in Bristol, after the Department for Education awarded a £49.9m contract. Work starts this month, with the school scheduled to open in September 2027. The scheme will deliver a main secondary school building and convert a smaller listed structure—the former boiler shop—into a new sports hall. In total, the project provides 12,182 sq m GIFA with capacity for 1,600 pupils on the Silverthorne Lane site. Head teacher Richard James called the development “a major milestone for East Bristol”, adding that the permanent campus would be “a lasting home for learning, growth, and community pride”. Graham regional director Peter Reavey said the start on site follows “several years of hard work by the entire project team”, and that the new facility will benefit “generations of school children in the Bristol area”. The project is being delivered for Oasis Community Learning under the Department for Education’s programme to expand and modernise school places across the city. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Willmott Dixon has been awarded a contract by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to build a new English-medium primary school in Glyn-coch, South Wales. The new school will be built to Passivhaus standards and operate as net zero, surpassing current Welsh Government targets for reductions in embodied carbon for new schools. The project forms part of Willmott Dixon’s growing portfolio of sustainable educational developments. Appointed via SEWSCAP, the scheme will see a two-storey replacement school building constructed on the existing Craig yr Hesg Primary School site and adjoining land. The facility will include two Multi-Use Games Areas, a grass sports pitch, playgrounds, a 43-space car park with EV charging bays, and bike, scooter, and buggy storage to encourage sustainable travel. In addition, the development will feature three dedicated community rooms and a Welsh-language Meithrin. The project received grant funding through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Schools Challenge Project, part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, in spring 2023. It is one of only three schools in Wales to secure investment through this initiative. A traditional turf-cutting ceremony marked the official start of construction, attended by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Members, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Member of the Senedd Vikki Howells, and MP Alex Davies-Jones. The school is scheduled to open in autumn 2026, welcoming pupils from Cefn Primary and Craig yr Hesg Primary. Working with architect Stride Treglown, the school and community hub will target multiple green credentials, including Passivhaus Standard, Building With Nature accreditation, and the WELL Building Standard, which focuses on creating healthy environments to support wellbeing. Sustainable features will include rain gardens and nature-based solutions to manage surface water. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Kirklees Council has been granted planning permission for a new, purpose-built special school in Almondbury, Huddersfield, set to replace the existing Woodley School and College. The facility will offer 180 places for children and young people aged 5 to 19 with complex autism, including a dedicated post-16 provision. It will be built on a new site in Fernside Avenue, designed by Frank Shaws Associates to provide a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. Specialist facilities will include sensory and immersive rooms, indoor and outdoor breakout areas, a forest school, food technology rooms, a post-16 café, and a life skills suite, all shaped with input from current Woodley students and staff, and based on Autism Education Trust best practice guidance. Planning consultancy Lichfields, based in Leeds, worked with the council to prepare and submit the application, supporting the design process to ensure it met local priorities and planning requirements. Cllr Jane Rylah, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The new school will provide a tailored environment where pupils can thrive and reach their full potential. Woodley School delivers excellent education and support, and this new purpose-built facility will allow us to extend that offer to even more children and young people. I’m looking forward to seeing the build progress and the positive impact this investment will bring to families across Kirklees.” The new Woodley School and College is part of the council’s wider transformation of SEND provision across the district with construction expected to begin next year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction has started on the new landmark laboratory building ‘Infinity Labs’ at University of Southampton Science Park and was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony held on Monday 21 July. The event was attended by Rt Hon Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, who put the first spade in the ground to officiate the milestone. Dr Robin Chave, CEO of Southampton Science Park, was joined by Scott Brownrigg representatives Ed Hayden, Life Sciences Director, and Amy Bourne, Associate Project Leader, who have been responsible for the design of the new gateway building. The new multi-tenancy building will provide 3,400 sqm of much needed new laboratory space at the entrance to the Southampton Science Park, supporting the Park’s commitment to fuel innovation and elevate the presence of British science and technology on the world stage. Curved in shape, the three-storey building will activate a sweeping bend at the main entrance to the site and feature a sloping green roof, helping to embed the structure within the landscape and enhance biodiversity onsite. A fabric first approach supports the Park’s sustainability objectives for a low-energy, low-carbon building. Of the milestone, CEO of Southampton Science Park, Dr Robin Chave, said: “We are incredibly excited to officially commence construction of this widely anticipated project. This new building, the largest to be built at Southampton Science Park to date, is going to provide much-needed facilities for life science and other laboratory-based companies from spin-out and start-up onwards. It will play a significant role in helping the life science cluster in the region to grow and prosper, building on the talent emerging from our Universities and shining a light on the investment potential across the South Central economy.” The Rt Hon Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, said: “It’s always great to be here at Southampton Science Park, witnessing how it develops and grows year on year. The new Infinity Labs building is impressive and beautiful. It is such an iconic looking building, and a real testament to the Science Park’s determination to grow, to bring high quality jobs to this area, and of course, to make sure that there are facilities that our scientists will use and desperately need. So, massive congratulations to the University of Southampton Science Park. I can’t wait to see the finished building!” With the main contractor, Amiri Construction now starting works on site, the new landmark gateway building is expected to complete in 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals