A new two-storey extension creating a new teaching block with an open under croft to retain external access as well as the refurbishment of existing classrooms.
Secured via the Procure North West Framework under a two-stage design and build basis the construction comprised of a steel frame, built off reinforced concrete pad foundations bearing on stone displacement piles.The main extension was a three-storey, with a single storey extension for the dining block.
The facade is a mixture of curtain walling and SFS/cladding with a single ply roof. The internal partitions are dry lined to form teaching spaces, built off reinforced concrete floors. The project also entailed the remodelling of teaching facilities and accommodation. The external works consist of a new car park with drainage and landscaping works.
A detailed pre-construction/design programme was developed in a collaboration with the design partners and the school to schedule key milestones and sign-off periods to meet the required start on site date.
Risks
Due to the school being fully open the project was a live site so health and safety talks were held for all students to raise awareness of the dangers of construction. BMS entry system was in place to ensure we knew who was on site and when. All of our management staff hold a valid DBS check and all works were undertaken within the grounds of the operational school. Careful consideration was therefore given to safety anddisruption throughout the project.
Full segregation was implemented using our robust solid hoarding line installed to ensure security and safeguarding of the students. There were strict delivery schedules in place to reduce congestion around peak times such as drop off, pick up and lunch hour. This needed to be carefully thought about in order to keep the safety of the student, staff and parents at the forefront of the operations.
Challenges
The school increased its intake of students (1200 to 1350) from September 2020 and therefore required as much of the works to be completed for the new students as possible. However, due to the late procurement process this became a challenge.
To overcome the challenge Seddon employed an external facilitator to host collaborative planning workshops with the client, design team and delivery team.The workshops interrogated the programme, exploring all options to determine a solution that was most preferable to the school. The outcome was a phased handover, with the completion of the dining block ready for the new school year and completion of the teaching blocks ahead of October half-term.
Another challenge was the procurement of materials and suppliers due to the accelerated programme. Key items were highlighted in a pre-construction programme and early procurement was agreed with the client. This included structural steel, aluminum windows and cladding who were also able to attend design team meetings to aid coordination between disciplines.
Unique factors
We had to incorporate the school calender into the programme, considering events such as exams to ensure disruption was minimised. Our site manager met daily with the school care taker to discuss planned works and any coordination changes. Added value was provided through various curriculum support activities for the Trust’s students. Many students attended numerous site visits, including a ground breaking ceremony.
Achievements / Awards
The Dean Trust Academy project has been nominated for the project of the year award. The award recognises a school new build project that has made a difference to the educational or research experience. The project has been nominated as it has successfully created space for 150 more pupils from the local area and demonstrates Seddon’s expertise in education design and build, and client collaboration.
The project has also been nominated in the North West Regional Construction Awards sub-category Manchester sub-region Project of the Year. It has been nominated for three key achievements-community response as it meant children from the community can attend school and receive a first class education, collaboration and communication and added value to ensure safety and well-being of the entire school.
Social Value Outcomes
We held careers talks and work experience for BTEC L2 and L3 students to educate the students in the construction sector as well as educating them on the dangers of the site to avoid trespassing and any other unwanted interest.
