McLaughlin & Harvey has been appointed by the Education Authority as the main construction contractor on the phase 1 expansion of specialist SEN provision at Rathore School, enabling much needed facilities for children in the Newry, Mourne and Down area. The scheme, which is being delivered in three stages, is the first construction project in Northern Ireland for the Antrim based firm since the completion of the new distillery at Bushmills in 2021. This first phase of the project will see current and future pupils at Rathore SEN School will benefit from nine new classroom facilities with additional outdoor play areas, car parking and outdoor landscaping, ensuring the school meets the growing needs of the SEN community in the Newry Mourne and Down area. The project is well underway, with the scheme making use of modern methods of construction to minimise disruption to existing staff and pupils, including off-site fabrication of 1,300m2 of classroom and ancillary rooms. Completion is expected by the end of December 2026, with the new facilities ready to receive pupils from August 2027 onwards following further fit out by Rathore School. Gavin Parkinson, Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey said: “Our experience working on public sector construction and infrastructure projects across the whole of the UK means we’re ideally placed to deliver a project as important and sensitive as the one at Rathore School. We understand that the need for SEN school facilities across Northern Ireland is a pressing issue, and our approach to modern methods of construction will enable smooth delivery, ensuring classrooms are ready to meet the needs of young people in the area.” “Although our civils team has continued to thrive in Northern Ireland, we’re extremely proud to see our construction team back on site for a Northern Irish project.” Dale Hanna, EA Chief Operations Officer, said: “This project will make a real difference for children and young people with SEN and their families, giving them access to modern, purpose-built accommodation designed around their needs. “EA will continue to consider every available option to increase capacity and support children and young people to access appropriate SEN provision as close as possible to their local community. “This investment forms part of EA’s wider capital programme to expand SEN provision across Northern Ireland and support children and young people now and in the years ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Willmott Dixon has secured planning permission for the near £50 million redevelopment of Bramhall High School in Stockport, paving the way for construction of a new three-storey secondary school to replace the existing RAAC-affected campus. Construction is expected to begin in January 2027, with the replacement school being built alongside the existing facilities to allow teaching to continue while the major redevelopment progresses. Designed by Sheppard Robson, the new school will accommodate 1,350 pupils on the existing 36-acre site off Seal Road. The project will consolidate the current sprawling school estate into a modern purpose-built teaching environment, while addressing problems associated with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) within the existing buildings. Once the new building has been completed, most of the existing school estate will be demolished, although the newer maths block will be retained and incorporated into the future campus. The replacement school will include 25 general classrooms and 10 science laboratories alongside specialist teaching facilities for drama, computing, ICT, art and design. Five dedicated SEND classrooms will also be provided, together with an assembly hall featuring tiered seating, dining facilities, a library and new staff and support accommodation. Sport will form another major part of the redevelopment. Indoor facilities will include a four-court sports hall, activity studio and changing accommodation, significantly improving the school’s provision for pupils and physical education. Externally, the plans include two replacement multi-use games areas and a new 3G sports pitch, while the existing hockey pitch will be retained. The phased construction strategy will be particularly important to the delivery of the project, allowing the existing school to remain operational while Willmott Dixon builds the replacement accommodation elsewhere on the site. The subsequent demolition and external works will then enable the wider campus to be reorganised around the new building. The project forms part of the continuing programme of investment required across the education estate following the discovery of RAAC in school buildings around the country. With planning now secured, the Bramhall High School redevelopment moves a significant step closer to construction, delivering modern teaching, SEND and sports facilities while replacing ageing and RAAC-affected accommodation with a more consolidated school campus for 1,350 pupils. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Cutting-edge building replaces existing Liberton High School as part of new community, lifelong learning and sports campus Staff and pupils at Liberton High School have started the new school year in their brand new state-of-the-art learning and community campus this week, after the building was handed over to the Council. Balfour Beatty was appointed by the Council to deliver the new building, which has been designed by jmarchitects. The new campus has been formed with the needs of learners in mind. To encourage collaborative learning, the school building features breakout and retreat spaces to offer pupils choice on where they want to work, socialise or take time out. Large windows fill the building with natural light, while helping to connect departments and classrooms with outdoor spaces. Internal spaces have been decorated with warm colours and light woods to create comfortable spaces for learning and coming together. Outdoor sports facilities include a new 3G synthetic rugby and football pitch and a multi-use games area. A new grass recreation area that can be lined for football or other sports activities will be added following the demolition of the former Liberton High School building. The 1,200-space school forms the centrepiece of the new Liberton Community Campus, a multi-purpose facility to help meet the needs of young people, their families and the wider community. Its spaces have been designed to allow all generations to come together in a number of ways, including a community café, library, GP surgery and workspaces for Council partners. New sports facilities operated by Edinburgh Leisure will feature bookable amenities for the whole community, including a fitness suite and dance studio. Information on when the other community facilities within the building will be ready for use will be published soon. The new Community Campus has been built to Passivhaus standard, minimising energy consumption and reducing the reliance on active heating or cooling systems, ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly construction. In addition to the Passivhaus design, the new school contains other sustainable features supporting the Council to meet its sustainability commitments. This includes measures to improve the air quality and thermal performance of the building which are vital to achieving Passivhaus certification. The new school building has been designed in line with the guiding principles of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Strategy and is one of the projects in the second phase of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, alongside the project to redevelop Wester Hailes High School. Children, Education and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish, said: The opening of the new Liberton High School marks a major milestone for pupils, staff and the wider community. This building has been designed to be futureproof with sustainability at its core, and I’m proud that it stands as one of Scotland’s first Passivhaus secondary schools. The school’s leadership team has played a crucial role in shaping a learning environment that puts the needs of young people first, while also meeting our commitments to a net‑zero future. This project is however about more than just a school. It’s the foundation of a community lifelong‑learning and sports hub that will bring together education, public services and local amenities in one accessible place, from a Community Library to an NHS GP Surgery. This reflects our ‘Living Well Locally’ strategy, ensuring local services are co‑located where people need them most. Our aim is simple: to put local people at the heart of this campus, giving everyone the opportunity to learn, participate and thrive. I’m delighted that this exceptional new building will help to bring more local people in the community together, and we’re looking forward to announcing more about the new community facilities soon. Stuart Danskin, Project Director at Balfour Beatty said: As Balfour Beatty’s first Passivhaus secondary school and the centrepiece of the new Liberton Community Campus, the successful completion of Liberton High School demonstrates our expertise in delivering innovative and sustainable infrastructure that creates lasting value for communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Conlon Construction and Cassidy + Ashton have completed the £19m refurbishment of the East Estate at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS), delivering a fully reconfigured 6,778 sqm, four-storey academic building within a live campus environment. The scheme comprised a full internal strip-out of the existing 1970s structure, including removal of partitions, finishes and all mechanical and electrical services, followed by a complete reconfiguration of the building to deliver modern teaching, research and collaboration spaces, designed by principal architect, Cassidy + Ashton. The completed facility provides new and upgraded seminar and teaching rooms, meeting spaces, breakout and informal study areas, and specialist facilities including a Bloomberg Suite, prayer rooms, café and staff lounge. A new glazed link corridor has also been delivered, connecting the East Estate to the University Spine and West Pavilion, requiring structural alterations and façade modifications. Acting as main contractor, Conlon delivered the works within a constrained live campus environment using a single-point logistics access route, with phased delivery across four floors and multiple concurrent workfaces. Fire-rated hoarding and controlled pedestrian routes were installed throughout to maintain safe segregation between construction areas and university operations. The project involved full replacement and integration of building services, including mechanical and electrical systems, ventilation distribution and electrical infrastructure, alongside connection into Lancaster University’s district heating network. Externally, the building was upgraded with replacement roof coverings, façade repairs, masonry works and new energy-efficient glazing. Internally, the building was fully refurbished with new partitions, acoustic treatments, flooring, ceilings, and doors, alongside installation of a new passenger lift and improved accessibility routes. The refurbishment has created a carbon saving of more than 80 per cent compared to an equivalent new build. This, combined with revised design principles that allow more effective uses of space, has led to an estimated saving of more than 4,700 tonnes of carbon expenditure, equivalent to the carbon produced by more than 400 homes in a year. The scheme was also delivered in line with Conlon Construction’s social value commitments, with a focus on apprenticeships and the use of local labour wherever possible. Guy Parker, managing director and chair of Conlon Construction, said: “It’s fantastic to deliver a project once again with our long-standing partners Cassidy + Ashton, who we have previously worked with on the recent completion of GVS Filter Technology UK’s HQ in Lancaster, as well as a number of education schemes across the region. “This is Conlon’s biggest education scheme to date, making it a special milestone for the business, and it’s particularly rewarding to see it deliver high-quality facilities that will directly support students and young people in our home of Lancashire.” Lawrence McBurney, director and architect at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “We are delighted to see the successful completion of the £19 million refurbishment of Lancaster University Management School, a project that reinforces the University’s position as one of the UK’s leading destinations for business and management education. “Working closely with Lancaster University, Conlon Construction and the wider project team, we have transformed the building into a contemporary, flexible and highly sustainable learning environment that reflects the School’s global reputation for excellence. The refurbished spaces will support world-class teaching, research and collaboration, while enhancing the experience of students, staff and visitors. “We are proud to have helped deliver a facility that matches the ambition, prestige and future vision of Lancaster University Management School.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Kier has secured almost £100 million of new education work after being appointed to deliver two major school redevelopment projects, including one of the Department for Education’s flagship low-carbon GenZero pathfinder schools. The contractor has been confirmed as main works contractor for the £45 million redevelopment of Wellfield Academy in Leyland, Lancashire, alongside the £53 million replacement of the Anglo European School in Ingatestone, Essex, further strengthening its position in the UK’s education construction sector. The Wellfield Academy project will deliver a new 6,540 sq m secondary school, designed to showcase the next generation of ultra-low carbon educational buildings through the Department for Education’s pioneering GenZero programme. Designed by Kier Design, the new campus will comprise a three-storey teaching block connected at first-floor level to a two-storey central commons building, while retaining the existing sports hall. Construction will be carefully phased to minimise disruption, beginning with the demolition of an existing building to make way for the new commons facility before the remaining teaching accommodation is replaced. Sustainability sits at the heart of the development, with the new school incorporating a cross-laminated timber structural frame, ground source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels, natural ventilation and enhanced airtightness measures to significantly reduce both embodied and operational carbon emissions. The scheme will also feature extensive landscaping, biodiversity enhancements and outdoor learning environments, creating a campus that promotes wellbeing alongside environmental performance. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2028. Meanwhile, in Essex, Kier will deliver a £53 million replacement school for the Anglo European School following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which led to the closure of the school’s sixth form centre in 2023. Planning permission has already been granted for the redevelopment, which will provide a new three-storey teaching building alongside a canopy, multi-use games area, amphitheatre, car parking and extensive hard and soft landscaping. The new school has been designed to achieve net zero carbon in operation while delivering significantly enhanced teaching facilities that support the school’s internationally recognised curriculum and specialist educational ethos. For the construction and education sectors, the two projects reflect the continued investment being made in modernising the UK’s school estate through sustainable design, low-carbon construction and future-ready learning environments. The Wellfield Academy scheme, in particular, is expected to help shape future education projects by testing innovative approaches to reducing carbon emissions across both construction and long-term building operation. Together, the two developments represent a significant addition to Kier’s education portfolio, demonstrating the growing emphasis on delivering high-quality, environmentally responsible schools that not only improve educational outcomes but also contribute to the UK’s wider net zero ambitions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

WORK is underway to expand west Loughborough’s educational offering, as national contractor Willmott Dixon starts on site at a new primary school commissioned by Leicestershire County Council.  Set to open in September 2027, Garendon Primary School will provide 420 places for primary-aged pupils, and once complete will help the county council meet growing demand for accessible, good-quality schools in the area. Procured via the Major Works Framework managed by Pagabo on behalf of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust, the site sits between Dishley and Hathern. The location is that of a greenfield site, previously used as farmland, in the middle of the Garendon Park housing development – which has increased the need for additional educational resources in the area. Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “Having partnered on numerous major construction and regeneration projects, including other schools in the county, we’ve built an incredibly impactful relationship with Leicestershire County Council over the past 20 years. “We’re proud to be part of creating another high-quality learning environment for the Leicestershire community and driving forward the delivery of another sustainably-focused school. Once complete, this new site will support the local authority’s goal to bring much-needed school places to the county, as it continues to grow.” Willmott Dixon will be using its standardised school design, created specifically for Leicestershire County Council, on the £11.8m two-form entry facility – to cut design time, cost and waste by repeating and refining a proven model across successive schools. To make the building as energy and cost-efficient as possible, careful consideration was given to building materials and quality targets aligned with building regulations. This includes a 300m2 photovoltaic array on the roof to help sustainably power the facility. The construction project is due to complete in July 2027, ahead of the school opening to pupils that September. Cllr Charles Pugsley, cabinet member for children and families at Leicestershire County Council, said: “We have a growing county and our priority is making sure that new schools in Leicestershire are put in the right place. “The start of work on Garendon Primary School by Willmott Dixon is a major milestone in the step for this new community, and we’re looking forward to the school welcoming students next year.” Looking to bring wider benefits to the Loughborough community, Willmott Dixon will also be supporting local students and existing schools to help develop students’ learning and experience of the construction industry. This includes offering several apprenticeships, donating laptops, offering enrichment programmes and delivering mock interview workshops. Garendon builds on a relationship with Leicestershire County Council stretching back 20 years, over which Willmott Dixon has delivered a series of primary schools for the council. These include Hollycroft Primary School in Hinckley – Leicestershire’s first school designed to be net zero carbon in operation – and the £9.3m Wellington Place Primary School at the Airfield Farm development in Market Harborough, which opened to pupils in September 2024.  To learn more about Willmott Dixon, visit www.willmottdixon.co.uk.    Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has successfully completed construction of the University of Nottingham’s new Hybrid Propulsion Systems Building at Jubilee Campus, marking the delivery of a landmark facility that will support the development and testing of next-generation clean propulsion technologies. Completed this spring, the facility has been designed to enable research and safe high-power testing of propulsion systems for transport and power generation, helping to advance the UK’s transition towards cleaner energy solutions. The specialist laboratory features cryogenic capabilities and environmental chambers suitable for altitude testing, enabling the safe high-power testing of propulsion systems using gaseous hybrid, ammonia and other green fuels. The facility will support research and innovation across a range of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, marine and power generation, and is connected to the megawatt-class physical testing capabilities of the adjacent Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC). The project involved the construction of a state-of-the-art steel-frame building with metal cladding, designed to complement surrounding campus facilities. The building incorporates high-performance acoustic doors to manage operational noise levels and integrated photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate renewable energy on site, supporting the project’s sustainability objectives and BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. The project was funded through round seven of Research England’s flagship UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF), East Midlands Freeport, industry partners and the university, supporting the creation of a world-class research environment for the development of future propulsion systems and green fuel technologies. Throughout the programme, G F Tomlinson worked closely with the University of Nottingham and local stakeholders to deliver a range of social value initiatives that benefited students, staff and the wider community. These included 50 apprentice weeks on site, whilst also providing work placements for two local college students, who shadowed the site management, surveying and design teams. Guided tours and presentations were provided for Civil Engineering and Architecture students from the  University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University to further enhance their construction and design knowledge and help support their studies. The project also supported the local economy through the use of regional supply chain partners, with 97% of project spend within a 40 mile radius of site and 99% SME engagement. 100% of site waste was diverted from landfill and over 1,300 miles were made using low emission vehicles. The completion of the Hybrid Propulsion Systems Building further strengthens G F Tomlinson’s longstanding relationship with the University of Nottingham, following the successful delivery of a number of key projects across the university’s estate. Andy Sewards, Chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “The successful completion of the hybrid propulsion systems lab is a significant milestone for both the University of Nottingham and the wider region. This facility will play an important role in supporting pioneering research into low-carbon propulsion technologies and strengthening the UK’s position at the forefront of clean energy innovation. “We are proud to have delivered this highly specialised facility on behalf of the University, building on a longstanding relationship that has seen us support a number of major developments across its estate. The completed laboratory provides an outstanding environment for research, collaboration and industry engagement, helping to create opportunities that will benefit future generations.” Dr Mark Pacey, Senior Technical Specialist – Hydrogen Propulsion, University of Nottingham, said: “This new facility is a game-changer for future transport and power generation research industries. We have hugely valued our collaboration with G F Tomlinson to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that will give rise to world-class innovation, drive knowledge exchange, and strengthen our industrial partnerships.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major investment in specialist education is set to transform opportunities for hundreds of children and young people across East London after Galliford Try secured a £39m contract to deliver one of the largest SEND schools in the UK. The contractor has been appointed by the London Borough of Havering to construct the new Balgores SEND School in Gidea Park following the successful completion of the project’s pre-construction phase. The main works contract has been awarded through a call-off from the Southern Construction Framework 5. Designed to address increasing demand for specialist educational provision across the capital, the new facility will provide places for up to 300 pupils aged between four and 19 years old. The school will support children and young people with autistic spectrum disorder, severe learning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Spanning more than 6,000 square metres, the development is expected to become one of the largest specialist SEND schools in Britain. The project represents a significant commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure while helping local authorities meet growing demand for specialist school places. The purpose-built campus has been designed to provide a modern, inclusive and supportive learning environment tailored to the needs of its students. Plans include 38 classrooms alongside a range of specialist facilities that will support both educational development and wellbeing. Among the key features of the scheme will be a hydrotherapy pool, providing therapeutic support for pupils with a range of physical and developmental needs. The school will also include an enterprise hub aimed at developing practical skills and preparing students for future employment opportunities, as well as a dedicated performance space designed to encourage creativity, confidence and self-expression. A café forms part of the proposals, creating opportunities for social interaction and vocational learning while also supporting engagement with the wider community. Several facilities within the development are intended to be made available for community use outside school hours, helping to maximise the value of the investment and strengthen links between the school and local residents. The project extends beyond the building itself, with extensive external works designed to create a safe and accessible environment for pupils, staff and visitors. These works will include dedicated pupil drop-off facilities, staff parking areas, landscaped outdoor spaces, specialist play areas and a multi-use games area to encourage physical activity and recreation. As demand for specialist education continues to rise across the UK, local authorities are increasingly investing in purpose-built facilities capable of providing tailored support for children and young people with complex educational needs. The Balgores SEND School project reflects this wider trend and will play an important role in ensuring more pupils can access high-quality specialist education closer to home. For Galliford Try, the award further strengthens its presence within the education sector and adds another significant project to its growing portfolio of public sector developments. The company’s involvement from the pre-construction stage has helped shape the scheme and prepare it for delivery, ensuring the project can now move forward into the construction phase. Once completed, the new Balgores SEND School will provide a modern, highly specialised learning environment capable of supporting hundreds of pupils for generations to come, while making a meaningful contribution to educational provision across East London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Willmott Dixon has been awarded a £92 million contract to construct a landmark campus for the College of North West London (CNWL), part of the United Colleges Group. Located at the prestigious Olympic Way in Wembley Park, the project will transform a long-vacant building into a premier educational facility steps away from the national stadium. The development, secured through the Southern Construction Framework, supports Brent Council’s vision of an educational quarter within Wembley and aligns with the United Colleges Group’s Estate Strategy. The new 14,200m² campus is designed as an eight-storey building featuring three distinct horizontal volumes. A central atrium will run the full height of the structure, ensuring natural light reaches every floor. The internal layout includes: Inclusive design is a core element of the project, with dedicated and expanded provision for Learners with Learning Disabilities or Difficulties (LLDD) and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) integrated throughout the facility. The project is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating. By focusing on construction, engineering, and green skills, the new campus aims to address national net-zero goals and equip students with the practical expertise required by modern employers in London and beyond. Simon Ramage, Managing Director, London & East at Willmott Dixon, said: “Winning the contract to deliver this landmark project for the College of North West London is a real privilege. This is about more than a building – it’s a place of opportunity for generations of students to come, equipping them with the skills that matter. We look forward to working closely with the college to deliver a facility that is truly worthy of the ambitions of everyone who will learn there.” Stephen Davis, CEO & Group Principal of United Colleges Group, added: “Today is a significant milestone for the college and for Wembley. This new campus on Olympic Way will place students at the heart of one of London’s most iconic locations, providing modern facilities to support future skills in areas including construction, digital and green technologies, as well as a hospitality academy, in line with local and national priorities. It also ensures that our 130-year legacy in Brent continues for generations to come, transforming a disused building into a place of opportunity and ambition for London and Londoners.” Construction is scheduled for completion in Spring 2029. This project joins Willmott Dixon’s extensive education portfolio, which includes recent works for Queen Mary University of London, the University of Staffordshire, and Bridgend College. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals