Morgan Sindall Construction and other partners in the construction industry, has been selected by LocatED and the Department for Education (DfE) to work on a new feasibly study to decarbonise education estates in England. As part of the study, the Morgan Sindall team will undertake a series of feasibility studies
Contractor Stepnell has commenced construction work on a new state-of-the-art forest school in Coalville, Leicestershire. Helping to deliver the tailored school design is construction consultancy Bentley, who are acting as employer’s agent and quantity surveyors for the project. Stepnell is leading the construction works of the two-form entry school which
Balfour Beatty yesterday announced that it has been awarded a £67 million contract by the City of Edinburgh Council to deliver a replacement campus at Liberton High School in Edinburgh, Scotland. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the design and construction of the new 13,470 square metre campus alongside facilities
THE newest SEND school in Ipswich – Woodbridge Road Academy – has held its official opening ceremony, following the completion of work on site in Russet Road. The £7m new-build school is tailored for 60 children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and has been constructed under the
Award-winning contractor Beard has started work on a trailblazing Design, Technology & Engineering (DTE) building at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire. The £5.9 million project will see Beard’s Oxford office build a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility at the school’s campus in the grounds of the historic Stowe House. The two-storey building will
Coventry University has been ranked as a Gold Tier University thanks to its green credentials which include renewable installations on campus, such as solar panels, solar thermal, and a ground source heat pump. The Uswitch Green University Report 2023 considers Coventry University to be a leader in sustainability, with the
A FLAGSHIP new university building with groundbreaking sustainability features designed by international MEP consultancy CPW has been handed over to the University of Birmingham. The £80m Molecular Sciences Building will be the base for more than 500 scientists leading the field in world-class research in chemical, environmental and biomolecular sciences. Innovative technology and a
A planning application has been submitted to City of Edinburgh Council for the second phase of development at Trinity Academy, a secondary school set within the Victoria Park conservation area in the north of the city. The project builds upon the award-winning phase one – a new-build sports and outdoor
Beard has started construction work on the state-of-the-art STEM centre for Richmond upon Thames College. The Guildford office of award-winning contractor Beard has begun work on a state-of-the-art STEM centre (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at Richmond upon Thames College. Awarded through the Procure Partnerships Framework, the £10 million project
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter has carried out more than £3.5 million pounds worth of specialist refurbishment works in the education sector, whilst schools and colleges were closed for the summer holidays. Alongside a strong work bank of new-build education works across the region totalling more than
Morgan Sindall Construction and other partners in the construction industry, has been selected by LocatED and the Department for Education (DfE) to work on a new feasibly study to decarbonise education estates in England. As part of the study, the Morgan Sindall team will undertake a series of feasibility studies which have been chosen based on criteria including potential carbon savings, capital/ROI and operational impact. Using our approach to intelligent solutions and inhouse whole life carbon tools such as CarboniCa, the team will utilise their experience to propose decarbonisation solutions for the chosen schools. LocatED announced the start of a feasibility study for its Net Zero Accelerator programme on 9 November – a scheme that aims to facilitate the rapid rollout of decarbonisation initiatives across the education estate. Delivery partners have been selected to take part in a feasibility study that will work with 50 schools from across England to explore the commercial viability of a range of decarbonisation interventions. The concept of the Net Zero Accelerator is to create a ‘one stop shop’ to fund and deliver decarbonisation initiatives across the education estate through a new national service. This will provide responsible bodies, such as local authorities and multi-academy trusts, with a low burden service to address building condition and energy efficiency to help improve their estate including the delivery of decarbonisation interventions. Furthermore, the programme will aim to reduce risk to responsible bodies as well as the time and resources they put into decarbonisation. This will be achieved by requiring no upfront payment; through sharing the risk of delivery with external market partners; and arranging the intervention work and funding for them. Commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to create and run the programme, LocatED launched the Net Zero Accelerator in August this year with a market engagement session attracting over 270 participants. With Net Zero a key aim of the DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy for the education system, the programme aims to help deliver this. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Stepnell has commenced construction work on a new state-of-the-art forest school in Coalville, Leicestershire. Helping to deliver the tailored school design is construction consultancy Bentley, who are acting as employer’s agent and quantity surveyors for the project. Stepnell is leading the construction works of the two-form entry school which was designed by Lungfish Architects and led by land regeneration company, Harworth Group. The primary school in Swinfen Vale is due to open in September 2024 for the new school year and is the county’s first forest school, a model which endeavors to nurture creativity in line with play and activity to promote education. Lauren Allsop, senior project manager at Bentley spoke on construction starting on site, said: “The groundbreaking ceremony that recently took place was a significant step forward in what is an incredibly exciting project for us at Bentley. This project acts as a change of trajectory for education in the region and we’re proud to be able to use our expertise to see it come to life.” The construction of the school will consist of a series of pavilions, designed to offer a range of flexible teaching spaces including shared and outside areas. These classroom spaces have been designed to ensure optimal lighting and ventilation throughout. Tom Sewell, Regional Director at Stepnell, said: “The creative and sustainable design of the project aligns well with our complete construction offering at Stepnell. We’re proud of our ability to continuously create quality developments in the education sector and this project will be no exception. “As we continue to grow our strong regional reputation in the East Midlands, we’re excited to be working with Bentley Project Management and partners on what is an incredible project to expand the school offerings for the people of Coalville and the surrounding region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty yesterday announced that it has been awarded a £67 million contract by the City of Edinburgh Council to deliver a replacement campus at Liberton High School in Edinburgh, Scotland. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the design and construction of the new 13,470 square metre campus alongside facilities for the local community including a state-of-the-art synthetic sports pitch, a library and café. As part of its sustainability strategy, ‘Building New Futures’ and its ongoing commitment to leaving a lasting, positive legacy in the communities in which it operates, Balfour Beatty will create numerous new areas for biodiversity and will also work closely with ecologists to protect existing habitats in the adjacent conservation area. Once complete, the campus will become Balfour Beatty’s first Passivhaus certified building – a quality assurance process for the design and construction of low energy buildings – and will be one of the first certified schools to be built in Scotland. To achieve the coveted rating, the building has been designed to be energy efficient and will utilize high-performance windows and doors, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality, and reduce energy demand and heating bills. Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland said: “At Balfour Beatty, we have a long and proud history in delivering education facilities in Scotland. “Throughout construction, we will work hard to give back to the local community, creating and delivering new construction based educational pathways which will equip students with the skills and experience they need for a lasting, fulfilling career in our sector.” Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s great to see work starting on the replacement Liberton High which is the latest school we are building for our young people. “These new school campuses are innovatively and sustainably designed so they are inspirational places for learning for the next generation of young people creating a vibrant and thriving learning environment.” Works are due to commence later this year with completion expected in 2026. At construction peak, the project will employ 120 people including a number of Apprenticeship, Graduate and Trainee positions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE newest SEND school in Ipswich – Woodbridge Road Academy – has held its official opening ceremony, following the completion of work on site in Russet Road. The £7m new-build school is tailored for 60 children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and has been constructed under the Department for Education’s (DfE) MMC1 framework. The school features 12 classroom suites and several learning resource areas, which will allow secondary-age pupils to be taught vital life skills. In addition, Woodbridge Road Academy boasts a well-equipped library, sensory rooms, main hall, dining area, and accessible bathrooms. Outside, a multi-use games area (MUGA) has been constructed for recreational activities – including use by the wider community. Beyond serving the student population, the layout of the school allows specific areas to be accessed by the community outside core school hours. This includes the main hall, accessible bathrooms, hygiene rooms and the outdoor MUGA, meaning that the wider community also benefits from the new facility. The design also incorporates a ‘community lock’ feature, with Salto door lock systems on certain doors meaning that access to particular areas can be controlled by the school, providing additional levels of flexibility and security. Architecture and interior design teams from multi-disciplinary construction consultancy Pick Everard have worked closely with design and build contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, playing a pivotal role in delivering a carefully considered design fit for both pupil and community use. Paul Knifton, director at Pick Everard, said: “As with any school project with a variety of stakeholders, collaboration was at the heart of this project’s success. We are pleased to have worked with Bowmer + Kirkland and Woodbridge Road Academy to create a new, purpose-built building that will transform the SEND provision in Suffolk. “This collaborative approach saw our team of specialists attending design meetings across all disciplines, making sure that compliance with MMC1 specifications was upheld. Through engagement with the academy, which started in March 2021, we were able to together successfully deliver designs that were operationally robust while also meeting specific needs. “Close proximity to the nearby rail track also required careful consideration, so the building itself has been strategically positioned to ensure minimum noise and vibration from passing trains – and additional elements have been added for student safety, such as tall fences. “We’ve been very pleased to bring our extensive experience from other MMC1 framework and SEND projects, ensuring the best use of project budgets and gross internal floor area (GiFA). This expertise and our collaboration have resulted in a school that not only meets, but exceeds the stringent requirements needed for SEND schools – and adds values to pupils and the community too.” 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
Award-winning contractor Beard has started work on a trailblazing Design, Technology & Engineering (DTE) building at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire. The £5.9 million project will see Beard’s Oxford office build a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility at the school’s campus in the grounds of the historic Stowe House. The two-storey building will comprise of modern teaching spaces, studios and workshops, and will serve as its own educational resource. Instead of many of the internal finishes traditionally found in other buildings, the structure, joints, beams and bolted connections will be purposely left exposed. All services will be colour-coded and will remain uncovered, allowing students to observe the infrastructure of pipes through internal walls, right through to the plant room. Working alongside architects Design Engine, the project aims to minimise material use and be suitable for deconstruction, should the area ever need to be restored to woodland. With a clear emphasis on structural embodied carbon, the Beard team will be working with key supply chain partner B&K Hybrid Solutions on the timber frame construction consisting of glulam and CLT (cross-laminated timber). Beard has already begun work on the foundations, completing the installation of helical piles ahead of the steel framing and ground floor concrete slab. The project itself is set to complete next autumn. While the site is secured with fencing and hoardings, Beard is working closely with the school to minimise disruption and ensure students and staff remain safe. In addition to scheduling deliveries outside of high-traffic periods, the team are using a separate entrance for heavy goods, helping to protect the weak bridge at the main school entrance. Beard will also be engaging with students in the new year through talks and site visits, allowing pupils to not only experience the finished project, but to ask questions and follow along in its build. Dean Averies, Beard director for Oxford, said: “With our reputation in the education sector, Beard has had the privilege of being involved in a number of prestigious builds across the region. This innovative project is another fantastic example, and we’re incredibly proud to support Stowe School in delivering a state-of-the-art facility to truly bring these exciting subjects to life. “Beard is well known for delivering ambitious buildings to a high standard of quality. This project is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate this and our commitment to prompt and faultless delivery. Not only is there nowhere to hide with many elements of the building remaining exposed, but the entire build and installation must be exemplary, to provide an educational tool and benchmark for students.” Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, head of Stowe School, added: “We are delighted to see Beard start work on the new Design, Technology & Engineering building. Nestled in the grounds of historic Stowe and in the shadow of Silverstone and the UK’s engineering heartland, the cutting-edge DT&E Centre will complement its surroundings, all while providing an extraordinary educational resource for our future architects, designers and engineers. “We look forward to the project completing next autumn and working closely with Beard to share their insight and expertise throughout the build.” Lee Roberts, pre-construction director, B&K Hybrid Solutions, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering the innovative Stowe School alongside Beard and the local authority. BKHS have a great wealth of experience in the education sector, and are excited to add another premium, low-carbon building to our repertoire. The project shows a real commitment to low-carbon building solutions and we look forward to sharing the journey with the students and faculty at Stowe School.” Through its offices in Swindon, Oxford, Guildford and Bristol, Beard has completed education projects across primary, secondary, further education and SEND provisions. In addition to extensive work with Oxford University and its colleges, Beard has worked closely with the likes of Abingdon School, Marlborough College in Wiltshire and Mary Hare School in Newbury – the UK’s largest school for the deaf. For more information, please visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Coventry University has been ranked as a Gold Tier University thanks to its green credentials which include renewable installations on campus, such as solar panels, solar thermal, and a ground source heat pump. The Uswitch Green University Report 2023 considers Coventry University to be a leader in sustainability, with the Gold Tier standard reserved for excellent performing universities. Coventry University boasts 14 electric vehicles as part of its fleet, including 13 electric vans and one car and is also on a renewable energy tariff for its electricity. Ian Marshall, Coventry University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, said: “It is very pleasing to be ranked as a Gold Tier University as it reflects the sustained and ongoing effort of our staff and students. “While it can be challenging given the age of some of the campus and the distribution of university buildings in mainly city centre locations, being a sustainable campus is something we are passionate about and we have recently completed a substantial planning exercise to look at what would be required to move to a net carbon zero institution by the end of the current planning period of 2030. “As part of this plan we have identified the key elements required to achieve net carbon zero and to improve sustainability while making a greener environment for staff, students and stakeholders.” The university also employs a team who are responsible for managing and coordinating sustainable development across the campuses and someone to oversee the implementation of green practices. The university offers sustainability workshops to both students and staff and runs eco-friendly initiatives such as biodiversity. Ben Gallizzi, Uswitch.com energy expert, said: “From simple measures, such as choosing to receive their energy through renewable energy tariffs and offering recycling facilities, to implementing their own electric car fleets and installing renewable energy sources on campus. UK universities are approaching a greener way of being in a multifaceted way, understanding that every little helps when it comes to reducing carbon emissions.” This is not the first time Coventry University has been recognised for its positive steps towards reducing carbon emissions as it recently won the prestigious Bees’ Needs Champions Award for its dedication to creating a biodiverse campus which consists of “bug hotels”, and bird, and bat boxes, among other measures. About Coventry University Coventry University is a global, modern university with a mission of creating better futures. We were founded by entrepreneurs and industrialists in 1843 as the Coventry School of Design and we continue to work with businesses to ensure we provide job-ready graduates with the skills and creative thinking to improve their communities. With a proud tradition of innovative teaching and learning, Coventry University is now one of the largest in the UK and has world-class campus facilities, the UK’s first standalone 5G network and a digital community of learning. Our students are part of a global network that has 50,000 learners studying Coventry University degrees in more than 40 different countries and partnerships with 150 higher education providers worldwide. Over two centuries, we have flourished in our home city and Coventry University Group now also delivers access to our range of high-quality services and partnerships through bases in London, Scarborough, Belgium, Poland, Egypt, Dubai, Singapore and Africa. From September 2023, we will be teaching students at a new campus in China in a joint institution with Communication University of China. We have greatly increased our research capacity and capability with a focus on impactful research, delivered for and with partners to address real-world challenges and support the sustainable growth of business and communities. The depth and breadth of our rapidly growing research portfolio was validated by the latest UK research assessment, which saw us jump 22 places in the research power rankings. We were awarded a Gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, proving we deliver excellence in what students care most about – teaching, learning and achieving positive outcomes from their studies. In 2022, we were honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade, the UK’s most prestigious business award. In recent years, we have won many awards and vastly improved our rankings in the league tables that matter to students – but what matters to us is delivering transformational change for our students, partners and communities around the world as we continue to evolve into a global education group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A FLAGSHIP new university building with groundbreaking sustainability features designed by international MEP consultancy CPW has been handed over to the University of Birmingham. The £80m Molecular Sciences Building will be the base for more than 500 scientists leading the field in world-class research in chemical, environmental and biomolecular sciences. Innovative technology and a range of sustainable solutions have been used throughout the design and construction of the 11,250m² phase 1 of the masterplan, now home to cutting-edge laboratories including 171 high-efficiency fume-cupboards, as well as lecture rooms, offices and collaborative spaces. An experienced design team has collaborated effectively to help the building achieve BREEAM Excellent accreditation and an EPC A [14] rating. The digital-first project includes an impressive two-storey energy centre, created on the edge of the site by CPW to mitigate the impact vibrations on the sensitive experiments and research to be undertaken. The central design achieves a desire for a highly logical building organisation that is focused around an optimised laboratory zone and maximising efficiency for ventilation services. CPW has also used pioneering heat recovery technology to reduce the building’s energy waste and consumption, with the latest air source heat pumps cutting carbon emissions by as much as 70%. Antonios Agapakis, director at CPW, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate our skills in bringing progressive and sustainable buildings to life, which will have a positive effect on the environment and our net zero carbon ambitions. “It has been a major project involving in-depth collaboration with a number of partners and the result is a world-class facility that can take the university’s research in these pioneering fields to new levels.” CPW’s building services engineering expertise has seen a number of impressive sustainability measures introduced, including: Carbon benchmarking on the scheme will be used to address further carbon reductions in planned future phases of the site’s development – expected to be 50,000 sq m when completed. The ‘as-built’ model of phase 1 will act as a digital twin to the physical building and will contain all the carbon data associated with building materials and elements. The ambitious first phase has been a triumph of collaboration with the university, led by Morgan Sindall Construction working with CPW, Associated Architects, Ramboll and MGAC. CPW’s involvement followed the success of its complex work on the university’s new £40m energy-efficient Collaborative Teaching Laboratory on the Edgbaston campus, reaching both BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings. Antonios added: “It is exciting to be part of the university’s long-term plans to successfully compete on the international stage thanks to these high-tech laboratories and teaching areas. Phase 1 of the building adopts the university’s aspirations for smart campus and infrastructure, which will enable the collection of data for future analysis during building operation and be used to enhance the experience of students. “We’re proud to think that the next generation will be learning from the development of sustainable scientific laboratories in such collaborative environments – it really is the key to all our futures.” The Molecular Sciences building will provide a designated hub for the university’s School of Chemistry and facilities for the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES). The University of Birmingham’s aim is for the research undertaken in the extensive facility to help address some of the biggest scientific challenges of our time, including using materials for energy applications or healthcare, making plastics recyclable and the environmental effects of drugs in the ecosystem. Trevor Payne, the University of Birmingham’s Director of Estates, said: “This building is vital in developing important research and enabling spaces for academic and commercial partnerships to flourish. It also reflects our ambition to create a sustainable and fully connected campus for the future, which we must thank our experienced project partners, such as CPW, in supporting us with. “The building has innovative technology and solutions built into its fabric. And we hope it will spark greater collaboration between different teams just by nature of being in the same building – that’s quite often where the best ideas happen.” For further information on CPW’s sustainability work visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on social media. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A planning application has been submitted to City of Edinburgh Council for the second phase of development at Trinity Academy, a secondary school set within the Victoria Park conservation area in the north of the city. The project builds upon the award-winning phase one – a new-build sports and outdoor centre that serves the local community as well as Trinity’s pupils – which opened in summer 2022. Both phases were designed by Holmes Miller, who have a strong track record of designing Edinburgh schools such as Frogston, Canaan Lane and Victoria Primary Schools. During consultations on the redevelopment, staff, pupils and community felt strongly that the school’s original red sandstone Victorian building on Craighall Road, dating back to 1894, should be retained, refurbished and incorporated into the new design. If plans are approved, several newer existing school buildings which are no longer fit for purpose will be demolished to make way for a new four-storey extension to the historic building, which will offer modern learning facilities for the school’s 1200 pupils. The school will remain open during the build and refurbishment process, with detailed plans in place for phasing and decanting to temporary accommodation on site, to minimise disruption to staff and pupils. Inside the new extension, classroom accommodation will be arranged around a social and dining ‘heart’ which will provide a central point where the school can come together to socialise, learn and collaborate, fostering a sense of community and inclusion. A timber-clad ‘learning stair’ will also connect the school’s main reception space to the ‘heart’. The original Victorian building will link directly to this central space, bringing both buildings together. Designed to meet Passivhaus standards, the extension will aim to reduce energy demand for space heating or cooling, driving down running costs and carbon emissions. It will also meet the Council’s city-wide aspirations for the curriculum to be inclusive, and to meet all digital and outdoor learning requirements. A carefully considered landscape plan for the school grounds will maximise potential for outdoor learning, encourage sustainability and open up opportunities to support local groups. Features will include an ‘arrival plaza’ with seating and social spaces, an outdoor amphitheatre, a growing space, an outdoor gym and a wellbeing hub garden. The landscape design creates the opportunity for connections to Trinity Primary, creating a campus with the secondary school helping integrate both schools. The landscape also incorporates cycle storage and electric vehicle charging in both secure and public areas, encouraging active travel and the 20-Minute Neighbourhood. Ryan Holmes, Director at Holmes Miller said: “City of Edinburgh Council asked us to create a design that would ensure Trinity Academy’s facilities were fit for the 21st Century and that would provide an inspirational learning environment for pupils. Alongside the existing Victorian building, the new extension will do just that, while creating a strong civic presence that is sensitive to the surrounding Victoria Park conservation area. The combination of new extension and refurbishment of the existing building represents a significant investment in the community and promotes inclusive growth through key investment.” John Burns, Associate at Holmes Miller added: “Building on the successful completion of Trinity Academy’s Sports Campus last year, these new plans offer a modern, exciting, and energy-efficient facility for pupils, staff and the wider community around Trinity. Building on this existing relationship with the school and community through ongoing engagement offers a unique opportunity to create a sense of place and new identity, which is an exciting prospect. All users of the building will benefit greatly from this next phase of redevelopment, which will create a school they can be proud of and will positively engage with.” Cllr Joan Griffiths, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “These are really exciting times for the Trinity Academy school community after the opening of their new sports and outdoor learning centre last year. The plans for the new extension, and refurbishment of the original Victorian red sandstone main school building, have been designed following consultation with the staff, pupils and local community. “Another key feature of the new extension is the Passivhaus elements which significantly reduce the amount of energy used and support us in our goal of decarbonising our building stock. In August we opened our first fully Passivhaus classroom extension at Sciennes Primary School and construction work has already started on a replacement Currie High School which will be one of the first Passivhaus high schools in the country. These new buildings will significantly reduce heating costs, improve user comfort and the learning environment as we set the standard for how we build low carbon schools.” Design team: Client: City of Edinburgh Council Project Manager: Atkins Realis MEP Engineers: Rybka Structural Engineers: Etive Landscape Architect: Wardell Armstrong Passivhaus Advisor: Architype Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard has started construction work on the state-of-the-art STEM centre for Richmond upon Thames College. The Guildford office of award-winning contractor Beard has begun work on a state-of-the-art STEM centre (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at Richmond upon Thames College. Awarded through the Procure Partnerships Framework, the £10 million project will see the construction of the new three-storey building, combining specialist classrooms and training spaces for science, engineering and construction, forensic sciences, computing and robotics. It will also consist of cutting-edge workshops, laboratories and even a laboratory for crime scene science. Each floor of the steel-frame building will be 1,300 square metres and will be fitted with an external cladding system to complement the existing college campus. To support biodiversity, the STEM centre will feature a wildflower roof and photovoltaic solar panels. Beard, along with architect 3BM and structural engineers HDR, have started work at the college’s brownfield site, following demolition of the existing building. Despite work taking place during term time, the active site is independent from the rest of the campus. Nonetheless, Beard has worked closely with the college to minimise disruption and ensure safety, implementing designated walkways and hoardings, as well as utilising traffic marshals and multiple entrances. The project, which is set to complete in the summer of 2024, is part of a wider whole site redevelopment of the college. The STEM centre marks phase two of works and follows the merger of Harrow, Richmond upon Thames and Uxbridge colleges (HRUC). Tom Jenkinson, director for Guildford, said: “Beard is well known within the education sector for building outstanding spaces for teaching and learning. We are delighted to be chosen by the college to deliver this modern addition to its campus. We have been working closely with the college and all our partners to ensure that the centre truly is state-of-the-art and provides the necessary spaces to meet the bespoke needs of each subject and specialist discipline. “With work now underway, we look forward to showcasing our expertise in the sector and delivering a sophisticated facility that will support today’s STEM learners and future cohorts.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter has carried out more than £3.5 million pounds worth of specialist refurbishment works in the education sector, whilst schools and colleges were closed for the summer holidays. Alongside a strong work bank of new-build education works across the region totalling more than £25m in the previous year, the business has had a hugely successful summer period in its dedicated minor works division, delivery a huge portfolio of rapid-delivery, complex refurbishment projects in education assets across the region. One of the projects included the creation of a new multi-use games area (MUGA) at St Hugh’s School in Scunthorpe. The sheltered MUGA will enable students to utilise the area in most weather conditions, transforming an area which was previously unusable for the special educational needs (SEN) students at the school. Jonathan Kenyon, who is the head teacher at the school, said: “We would like to share our heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional work that has gone into the construction to the school MUGA. The result is truly outstanding and a testament to the dedication and expertise of everyone involved. “The MUGA is a massive, valuable addition to our school, and it will undoubtedly benefit our students for years to come and enrich their learning journey. It’s thanks to the team from Hobson & Porter, who go above and beyond that we can provide such enriching opportunities for our students, and we are truly fortunate to have had such a committed team working on our project.” For East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hobson & Porter has refurbished four science classrooms, a prep room and office, as well as replacing pipework, cabling and mechanical ventilation at Beverley High School. It has also refurbished both flat and pitched roofs, as well as tennis courts at Howden School and a timber framed extension at Hornsea Primary School. At Swanland Primary School in East Yorkshire the company has upgraded the heating and hot water systems, boilers, hot water storage and distribution pipework. For York County Council, Hobson & Porter has worked at three schools over the summer – Clifton Green Primary School, Huntington Primary Academy and Yearsley Grove Primary School. The works included building a new, secure lobby at Clifton Green Primary School, with a revised access ramp and a relocation of the reception and visitor counter. Internal alterations included an upgraded meeting room, head office and new offices with replacement windows. The firm has also extended a meeting room and refurbished the car park, with three new access gates and overhead lighting. At Huntington School, Hobson & Porter has re-roofed a building and made modifications to the drainage system, and at Yearsley Grove Primary School the firm has also carried out re-roofing works, as well as upgrades to the heating and electricity supplies. Sam Robertson, from Hobson & Porter’s minor works division, said: “When it comes to the education sector, we have more than fifty years of experience of mobilising our teams for a huge uplift in education refurbishment and repurposing work over the summer months. We appreciate how important it is to work to a set timeframe so that we can have everything handed over and ready for the start of term. These projects are often incredibly intricate and require a real hands-on approach to deal with the unforeseen challenges which arise. Thankfully we can rely on our hugely experienced, directly employed team of management staff and operatives to deliver to our steadfast standards in these circumstances. “We’ve worked across a huge portfolio of primary, secondary, further and higher education buildings in the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire region and we value our relationships with a diverse set of clients in the education sector. Creating an inspiring environment for pupils to learn and thrive in is something we are hugely committed too, and our proven track record for delivering on our promises means that we always have a very busy schedule of works to carry out not only in the summer break, but also during all academic holidays throughout the year.” As well as refurbishment works, Hobson & Porter is also highly skilled at delivering new build projects for schools and colleges in the region. The firm has recently broken ground on a new £7m primary school in Northallerton for North Yorkshire Council and Dales Academies and has recently handed over a £6m new-build project at Fulford School in York, where it has built a new English, drama and art centre for the South York Multi-Academy Trust. Hobson & Porter is also building a £5m technical, engineering and construction facility at York College and recently completed projects for The University of Sheffield and Humber Engineering Training Association (HETA). The firm has also recently broken ground on the pioneering £10m Horizon Youth Zone in Grimsby. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
