Projects will enhance facilities available for further education students across three city centre campuses Leicester College is undertaking several new building projects to refurbish and create new facilities across its three campuses in Leicester, set for completion this summer and later in 2023. The combined multi-million-pound projects have been funded by Leicester College and the Department for Education, The Savoy Educational Trust, and the Office for Students (OfS). The projects include: Principal and CEO of Leicester College, Verity Hancock said: “The summer holidays provide an ideal opportunity to drive forwards with our ambitious infrastructure programme with some works completing during this time and some new work starting that will be completed in 2023/24. This will rebuild, refurbish and create new, state of the art facilities for our existing and new student cohorts at the College.” Talking about the T level Capital Buildings and Facilities Improvement Grants nationally, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeship and Higher Education Robert Halfon said: “This boost of over £100 million is our latest investment in T levels. These are robust, high-quality technical qualifications providing a unique ladder of opportunity for students to gain both classroom knowledge and on-the-job experience. “From robotics suites that support digital T levels to simulated health wards where students can get a real sense of what it means to work in Healthcare Science, T levels will support young people into rewarding careers and back businesses with the skills of the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Alderbrook School in Solihull, West Midlands has celebrated the completion of a major stage in the construction of its new teaching block, which is being delivered by Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson. The two-storey building’s structure and roof are now complete, giving an idea of what the new teaching facility will look like as it moves into the next phase of construction. To celebrate this stage in the programme a topping out ceremony was attended by members of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, representatives from G F Tomlinson and school staff, including Tom Beveridge, Headteacher. Due for completion late summer 2023, the works will provide the school with an additional seven classrooms, ancillary spaces, toilets, reception area, along with school bus parking and increased car parking for staff and visitors. As part of the scheme, G F Tomlinson has planted a number of trees on the school grounds – with the help of Alderbrook School pupils – which will enhance the existing ecology of the site and attract insects and animals to thrive within the grounds. Through its work with the school and the client, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, G F Tomlinson pledged to deliver £958,371 worth of social value added and has exceeded this target by delivering over £1.5million’s worth ahead of its completion later this summer.  During the project, G F Tomlinson have supplied local labour and spend opportunities through its ‘Meet the Buyer’ events, engaging with local businesses to work on the scheme, alongside apprenticeship placements for young people and mental health awareness campaigns for all site personnel. The contractor also volunteered at the school’s ‘Life Ready Day’ on 3 July, to support students with their mock interviews, providing ‘career in construction’ workshops. Ian Dalby, operations manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “It’s brilliant to see progress being made on Alderbrook School, which will allow for an influx of more students and provide state-of-the-art facilities that will enhance learning. “Our commitment to social value continues to be at the forefront of all the projects that we deliver, and we’re delighted to have exceeded our target for the school. We look forward to seeing the doors of the new teaching block open to students.” Councillor Michael Gough, Solihull Council Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “Ensuring that the children of Solihull have great spaces in which to learn is incredibly important to us. Having seen what’s gone up already and looked over the plans I’m really excited to see the finished building and what a difference it will make to the teachers and pupils of Alderbrook School. I’d like to thank G F Tomlinson for the excellent work they’ve done so far, and I look forward to the completion of the work and seeing the new classrooms being put to great use.” To find out more about Alderbrook School, please visit: www.alderbrookschool.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Work has begun on a multimillion-poundextension at a school in Cheshire to create additional places. The scheme being undertaken by Salford-based MC Construction at Springfield School in Crewe will help address an urgent need for extra provision in the area for children with complex needs. The project involves building a wrap-around extension to the school’s existing sports pavilion to create eight new classrooms, ancillary spaces including calm rooms, a sensory room and a therapy room, new hygiene suites and toilets, as well as extending and remodelling existing kitchen facilities. Springfield is rated as outstanding by Ofsted and was named 2022 School of the Year in the National Schools Awards. It caters for pupils aged from four to 19 with severe learning difficulties and complex needs, including autism. Cheshire East Council’s southern planning committee unanimously backed the extension scheme to alleviate the shortfall in places at the school. Demand for specialist school provision is at an all-time high in the area. The new block is scheduled to be ready for use in September 2024. Russ Forshaw, managing director of MC Construction, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Springfield School and to be once again partnering with Cheshire East Council. “We have a strong track record of delivering education projects across the region, and the construction of the new teaching block will be our largest to date. “This is a significant and important scheme which will greatly enhance provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities in the local authority area. “Our team has proven experience in delivering major projects in sensitive environments and we’re looking forward to delivering a new facility of the highest quality.” The contract was procured through the North West Construction Hub framework. The architect for the scheme is Halliday Meecham and the quantity surveyor is Currie & Brown. Other professionals involved in the project include construction design and management adviser David Trowler Associates, mechanical, electrical and plumbing consultancy Davies Partnership and structural engineer Sutcliffe. Lisa Hodgkison, headteacher at Springfield School, said: “We are delighted to have MC Construction working alongside us to build this much-needed expansion for Springfield. “They have made a fantastic start and are extremely keen to work with us to ensure our school day is unaffected. They will also be educating our young people on each stage of the build project, to keep them involved in the process. “The expansion will enable us to provide education and support for more children and families within our immediate locality, where we know there is such great demand for specialist places.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

MP Rishi Sunak took part in a special ground-breaking ceremony at the site of a new multi-million pound primary school in Northallerton. Mr Sunak, who is the MP for Richmond in North Yorkshire, joined the milestone occasion which signalled the start of construction at the Alvertune Road site. Also in attendance were representatives from North Yorkshire Council, the Dales Academies Trust and the contractors, Hobson & Porter. The school, which academy leaders have promised will be a “flagship of excellence”, will be run by the Dales Academies Trust and will be based in the northern part of Northallerton, where a major new housing development is being built. The Dales Academies Trust was selected as the sponsor for the school following a competitive process, which attracted interest from several trusts. The trust has announced the new educational establishment will be called Oakbridge Church of England Primary School and will begin welcoming its first pupils in September next year. The 2024 opening date gives certainty to the availability of school places in a part of North Yorkshire where housing growth is expected to increase the population. A phased opening will start with reception children in 2024, expanding to the full cohort over seven years. North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “We were delighted to welcome the MP for Richmond Rishi Sunak and are so pleased that work has begun at the new school site. “This demonstrates the council’s commitment to making sure there are the right number of school places, which allows children to be educated in their local communities. “We continue to provide children and young people across North Yorkshire with the best learning environments, enabling all our leaners to thrive. We believe Oakbridge Church of England Primary School is going to be a tremendous asset for the community.” Speaking about his visit, Mr Sunak said: “It was great to see work under way on a very important multi-million-pound investment in education in Northallerton. “This is a vital element of the North Northallerton development project, part of making sure the new housing has the appropriate infrastructure in place to support the families that will be moving here.” The school’s location is close to the new link road which spans the site earmarked for housing, ensuring access for pupils, staff and other members of the public is convenient. Nikkie Godbold, director of primary for Dales Academies Trust and executive headteacher of the new school, said: “We considered at length the naming of the school. Ultimately, we were inspired by an oak tree in the vicinity of the development and the new bridge at the other end of the road on which the school is situated.” Richard Hunter, managing director at Hobson & Porter, which has been awarded the contract to build the school, said: “Starting work on this new school is an exciting moment for everyone involved with this project. “There’s no doubt that once it’s complete, this school will become a hugely valuable part of the local community.” The site was acquired through a planning condition agreed with a housebuilder developing land nearby and Oakbridge Primary itself will account for investment of more than £7 million when complete. During his visit, the Prime Minister also took time out to see North Yorkshire Council’s Multiply team in action. A series of ‘fun on a budget’ workshops were held for families at the campus in Northallerton. Free activities were held to help with budgeting tips, ideas for free days out and how to enjoy the summer holidays with children while sticking to a budget. The Multiply scheme is an adult numeracy programme which has been allocated £2.6 million to be spent in North Yorkshire through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund up to March 2025. The overall objective of the Multiply programme is to increase the levels of numeracy for adults across the country. Meanwhile, the Multiply team works with community groups and individuals aged 19 and over who would like to feel more confident with maths in everyday life. Anyone interested in finding out more about the courses on offer can email multiplyteam@northyorks.gov.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals