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

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

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

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

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

GMI Construction Group and Luminate Education Group hosted a visit by Leeds MP Alex Sobel to update him on the progress being made on the city’s Mabgate Campus development. Leeds Central and Headingley MP Alex Sobel, accompanied by Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Children and Families, toured the construction site, which, upon its completion in summer 2025, will mark a significant expansion of Leeds City College. Milestones completed include the installation of the structural steelwork and the completion of a section of concrete forming a wall of the library. The development will provide around 70,000 sq. ft of additional educational space, while contributing to the area’s regeneration and providing much-needed community resources. Mabgate Campus already holds Leeds City College’s School of Events, Enterprise and Employability, together with studio space for Leeds Conservatoire – both members of Luminate Education Group. Leeds-headquartered GMI’s £26m contract involves partial demolition of existing buildings fronting onto Mabgate, allowing for the construction of the flagship five-storey campus for University Centre Leeds and a new building for Leeds City College’s English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) centre. As part of the construction of the ESOL building, GMI will also build a new atrium cafeteria, located between the new building and existing converted warehouse space, which is the hub of the Mabgate Centre, providing eco-friendly open-plan learning spaces and specially designed classrooms. Alex Sobel MP said: “It was wonderful to see the buildings taking shape, we really appreciated being able to sign the library wall and look forward to another visit when the buildings are complete, and students are benefitting from purpose-built provision. We know that there is need for more post 16 provision in the city and welcome this development whilst working for further space for post 16 education in Leeds.”  Helen Hayden, who represents the Temple Newsham ward on Leeds City Council, added:  “I was delighted to visit the Mabgate Campus development which represents a significant investment in education and regeneration of this part of Leeds. This project will deliver long-term benefits for the city by creating new opportunities for learning and community engagement, which are key to enhancing our skills base.” Andy Hurcomb, Regional Director at GMI Construction Group, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Alex Sobel MP and Cllr Helen Hayden to the site to show them the significant progress being made. Their visit highlighted the importance of this project to the local community, and we’re honored to partner with Luminate Education Group to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that reflects both the ambition of our educational partners and the aspirations of the wider Leeds community.” David Warren, Group Vice Principal of Development at Luminate Education Group, added: “This project will create a flagship campus that will provide a dynamic learning environment that meets the needs of today’s students and the future workforce. We are thrilled to see this project progress. It project represents a significant investment in education in Leeds, and we are confident it will play an important role in shaping the future of education in this region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals