A £25m project to build a new secondary school in Burton-on-Trent delivering a 12,041sq ft of educational facility, catering for over 1,440 students in Tattenhall. Secured via a mini competition through the Staffordshire County Council Framework, John Taylor Free School is the eleventh scheme delivered by Seddon working with long-term partner Entrust.
The school provides an iconic and influential educational facility for years 7-11 along with a post-16 provision, a specially-built dance studio with a sprung floor, drama studio, outdoor changing pavilion, sports hall and state-of-the-art science rooms and a large learning resource centre with landscaping and parking. The project is located on a challenging greenfield site in close proximity to the busy A38 in Branston, surrounded b new housing developments.
From the earliest stages, Seddon’s prime objective was to engage and communicate with the local community, minimising disruption and maximising understanding. Seddon interacted with the local community throughout the project in order to keep them updated on construction activities, whether this be through a newsletter or at one of the organised meetings where residents were invited for a cup-of-tea and a chat. We also put up Christmas lights for the residents and the local community.
Awarded Seddon Safe Site of the Year: The positive safety culture saw the project awarded the ‘Seddon Safe Site of the Year 2017’ and ‘Safe Site of the Quarter’ on two occasions.
Engaging the next generation: Local schoolchildren were given a unique, behind the scenes tour of the Branston Road High School development as part of the ‘Open Doors Campaign’ which aims to promote careers in the construction industry. The event, run by Build UK in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), with support from the Considerate Constructors Scheme and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme, showcased the career paths available in construction and the broad spectrum of skills required for major projects such as this. Groups of 14 to 16 year olds from William Allitt and Beaumont Leys schools attended the event, alongside representatives from Staffordshire job centres and two structural surveyor trainees. Visitors got the chance to see the progress being made on the state-of-the-art school.
