Project Overview:
Working within a live site in a new residential area, we undertook the construction of a predominantly timber framed extension to the existing school. The extension was added to provide additional classroom space (an additional 90 places) and a staffroom for the OFSTED outstanding rated academy.
The project was procured through the empa ii Framework which has a core focus on collaboration.
Design & Requirements:
The new alterations complement the academy’s design to be child friendly with a variety of colours, textures and shapes used in the design. The windows have been positioned to make the most of the surrounding views and are set at appropriate heights for the children.
Our site manager also carried out regular walk-throughs of the site when it was nearing completion with both the head teacher, and teachers who would be using the classrooms, to ensure that fixtures such as white boards and notice boards were placed where they wanted for their classroom set-up.
Challenges:
Logistics
This was an incredibly complex site, due to the narrow entrance and access restrictions, timber frames had to be lifted on to the site via a crane from a flatbed trailer parked outside of the site. No plant moved through the school at any time for safety of staff and students.
The site had just one entrance which is very narrow, meaning logistics could be challenging for large items being delivered.
Due to access restrictions, one of the biggest concrete pumps in the UK had to be brought up all the way from Heathrow by the groundworks contractors. The concrete pump was then set up in the playground outside of school hours, in order to pump concrete over the roof of the school for the pour of the floors
Active School Site
As the school was still active, the team scheduled works with heavy machinery to take place during half-terms, evenings and weekends to minimise disruption. A full time gatesman was employed whenever mud or concrete were being carted into/out of site during school hours to ensure none of the children wandered in to the site.
The site was fenced off with the appropriate signage displayed, Health & Safety procedures were strictly adhered to, all site warning, health & safety signs were well displayed, waste management procedures were put in place by means of separating materials that could be recycled or used elsewhere within the project, limiting overall waste from the site.
Outcomes:
During the course of the project, the delivery team set up a food donation box on-site in support of the local Lincoln Foodbank, resulting in a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable people in Lincoln. A Macmillan bake sale was also held during parent’s evening, raising £75 for the charity.
Our site manager provided the school children with deprecated site plans and technical drawings for use during classes – this gave the children an idea of the planning that went into the building, and also gave them the opportunity to draw on their own additions.
Site visits for several classes and groups of school children were organised during the project in order to inspire and educate the next generation.
The site team also got involved in the school sports-day, with sub-contractors taking part in a sack race, which proved really popular with the children.
Social Value Metrics
Considerate Constructors Scheme Results:
Care about Appearance: 8/10
Respect the Community: 9/10
Protect the Environment: 7/10
Secure everyone’s Safety: 7/10
Value their Workforce: 8/10
Total: 39/50
Overall, this project has made a massive positive impact on the school community due to the level of engagement and interaction.