This would be the last school designed and delivered for the Borough of Poole before the councils merged to become the wider BCP Council. The client wanted a design which was slightly different to the traditional standard block form. Better education provision and a more sustainable building was required through the development of a new primary school.
The current school had to remain operational until the new school was ready to move into which was only 3m away from its new building as well as being in a very built-up residential area. This school was also delivered through the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit.
Both the existing school and council were fully involved with the design looking for a school which “stood out”. This was achieved with a local architect, Cube Design, bringing their extensive education experience to the table. The whole look of the building was designed to be more aesthetically pleasing.
The project team worked closely with the client, going out of their way to ensure the project fully met their needs, discussing with the school and architects to make things as perfect as they could be for the end users.
The project team managed resources, materials and logistics throughout adapting to Covid-19 SOP requirements. A segregated walkway was created to allow staff and pupils to safely move between their two buildings. All construction traffic had to be pre-booked through Kier’s Mi-site system.
The project was undertaken in two phases: the first phase seeing the construction of the primary school and the second stage saw the demolition of the existing schools creating the sports pitch. The hall and sports facilities will also be utilised by the local community not just the current pupils. The surplus land following demolition is being used for a new housing development creating 110 new homes.
By creating some variation with the building heights, the school now has two, two-storey blocks on either side and a one-storey library adjoining the two buildings to create a u-shape looking onto a central courtyard. The modern buildings now include 14 classrooms, a practical teaching room and learning space centre, an administrative block, large multi-purpose hall with adjoining kitchen, a pre-school with dedicated play area, two multi-use games areas and a purpose-built (Sports England standard) sports pitch. The light and airy building has a modern feel, providing the perfect environment to learn and now enables all staff and pupils to finally be under one roof.
The new school has multiple sustainable and efficient features including solar panels, mechanical ventilation, intelligent lighting, non-combustible envelope and external VO cladding. High quality materials such as glazing and American white oak veneered doors have also been incorporated creating a warm and inviting place to learn and flourish in.
Despite being delivered during the Covid-19 pandemic and the early stages of Brexit, this project was delivered successfully on time and within budget.
Regular payments and have payment periods not exceeding 30 days
94% waste diverted from landfill
100% timber responsibly sourced
BREEAM Good
Zero RIDDORs
CCS Score 43/45 (Beyond Compliant)
11 beneficiaries
7 jobs created
228 trainee weeks
Schools engagement: 3,540 students
£3,830 donations
41 volunteer hours
80% social value created which included food bank donations, a time capsule burial, Christmas card competitions, Easter egg fundraisers, and lamppost renovations.
Soft landings for handover
Dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact
On-line portal for notifying any defects with 3 priority categories for response times
Email: kingsley.clarke@devon.gov.uk
Phone: 07805760622
Email: alan.smedley@morgansindall.com
Phone: 07967 686066
Although Dorset County Council (DCC) used a traditional form of contract, we were appointed under a PCSA during RIBA Stage 4 to provide cost and buildability advice and to offer the benefits of early engagement with our supply chain. Through clever works sequencing, the team delivered the playing field earlier than programmed.
Construction of a new three-form entry first school, on a shared new housing site with Bloor Homes, fit for the 21st century teaching and learning to accommodate an increase in pupils generated by the surrounding housing developments in Wimborne. The new school will accommodate 450 pupils and is located just 0.8 miles from the town centre.
DCC’s key drivers for the project include delivering within their approved budget and maximising investment in the local area.
By agreeing a procurement strategy with DCC, we engaged local supply chain and our aligned supply chain partners early to review buildability and generate cost savings. This included a separate feasibility study by Byrne Looby (engineering consultants), Keller (foundations) and Woodmace (groundworks), to explore alternative foundation options with the aim of minimising money spent in the ground and managing the abnormal ground conditions cost effectively and safely. The study involved an initial options report, collaborative workshops, further site investigations organised and a period of dialogue with suppliers to answer DCC queries.
The outcome was that a Vibro Stone Column Piling solution, with a degree of lime stabilisation, was a feasible alternative to traditional CFA piling, which generated a saving against DCC’s Cost Plan of circa £100k. The information and outputs from the study were incorporated into an updated Site Investigation Report by DCC’s own engineer and issued as part of the tender pack to ensure a fair basis for tendering by all suppliers.
The project was delivered to budget and the largest package, mechanical and electrical was procured with a local supplier. Just under £5m was spent with local SMEs.
Passive mechanical and natural ventilation systems contributed to low running costs. Trees were protected throughout the course of the project and the team regularly engaged with the Environment Agency about the ground water and ensured silt was well managed.
Payment periods were agreed at preconstruction and adhered to.
The client cited that the team’s management of safety was high and that site circulation and access was well controlled, giving a rating of 9. For CCS, they consistently scored an average 42.5 with the last one being 44.
8 technical and work based experienced and was delivered and several site visits with the school children were organised and complimented with classroom projects.
Despite high number of school staff changes over the course of the project, the Project Manager held several collaborative handover and aftercare workshops with the school to ensure that messages were not lost. Galliford Try’s Facilities Management also attended these workshops to ensure continuity from project completion.
Email: kingsley.clarke@devon.gov.uk
Phone: : 07805760622
Email: Angela.Purse@gallifordtry.co.uk
Phone: 07593 561855
The state-of-the-art school consists of a new build two-storey SIP construction teaching block and main hall, a sports pitch and associated external soft and hard landscaping providing 420 places and 52 nursery places.
Project Information
Procurement Type: Two stage
Form of Contract: JCT 2016 D&B
Contract Period: 48 weeks
Size: 2,515 m
4. SIP construction is much faster than traditional building. At Kingsbrook, using SIP construction allowed the programme to be significantly reduced whilst still producing a quality building.
4. The SIP installation was 12 weeks allowing following trades and internal works to progress. Additionally, due to the nature of SIP construction all internal walls had been installed and therefore this removed the 1st fix process of drylining, reducing installation time and in turn associated costs. The site establishment was required for less time and therefore overhead costs of accommodation, site setup and management costs are minimised. Due to SIP construction consisting mostly of offsite production this significantly reduced risk on site, the panels were produced in a controlled factory environment away from the construction site, leaving minimal works to take place on site.
Soft landings for handover
Dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact
On-line portal for notifying any defects with 3 priority categories for response times
Zero RIDDORs
CCS Score 43/45
100% payment within 30 days terms
The high-quality, energy efficient building is designed to enhance the character of the local area and provide a positive contribution to the public realm and includes a number of landscaping features to help complement its surrounds including planting choices to maximise benefits for wildlife.
Air tightness achieved required performance of 4m3/(h.m2) at 50 pascals, 98% waste diverted from landfill, 100% timber responsibly sourced, Solar panels on roof, Thermally efficient reducing carbon emissions helping LA meet its carbon reduction targets, Electric charging points installed; cycle and scooter storage, Wildlife area and forest school
25 beneficiaries (36% aged 16-25)
8 jobs created
266 trainee weeks
Schools engagement: 120 students
£5,000 donations to charity
112 volunteer hours
89% social value created
Email: james.wright@hants.gov.uk
Phone: 07761 330560
Email: alan.smedly@morgansindall.com
Phone: 07967 686066
Eastleigh, Hampshire
Client
Hampshire County Council
Project Manager
Hampshire County Council
Architect
Hampshire County Council
Contractor
Morgan Sindall
Value
£6.63m
Contract Period
48 weeks
Procurement Type
2-stage
Form of Contract
JCT 2011 SCF/CDP
Size
1,752 m2
Apprentices
6
Stoneham Park Primary Academy is a brand new 315-place primary academy for children aged 4-11, sponsored by the University of Winchester. Opened in September 2020 and situated at the heart of the new North Stoneham Park housing development of 1,100 homes in Eastleigh, it offers high-quality, value-driven education. Designed to encourage community use, with a learning resource area at the heart of the plan.
Stoneham Park Academy is the pilot project for the Hampshire County Council model. Conceived as a lean, compact and energy efficient 2-storey form, the building is modest in scale and future-proofed for expansion. The model can be scaled ranging from 1.5 form entry to 3 form entry and due to its compact footprint can be adopted to suit a variety of sites and contexts as well as the client’s brief and budget.
The school has been built using the Streif modular system, which allowed the structural panels to be delivered to the site with external windows, doors and glazing pre-installed. The system ensured a shorter timescale of delivery and a smaller volume of deliveries to the construction site.
Set over two floors the academy’s facilities include 11 light and airy classrooms, plus nearby areas for one-to-one meetings for children to work together in small groups, a large main hall which is also used for dining and indoor PE, with an adjacent performance hall, kitchen, flexible library space which can also be used for events, a practical classroom, where children can learn design, technology and cooking, office space, medical room, MUGA, playing field with areas for formal and informal play and fully equipped with the latest ICT. Constructed using the latest sustainable technologies, the school includes solar panels to generate electricity.
Maintaining stunning views within its historic deer park setting, the school takes full advantage of the extensive grounds with a full forest school and an outdoor learning programme.
The new state-of-the-art academy provides a modern and welcoming environment providing outstanding facilities for children to learn and flourish.
COVID-19 Pandemic
In July 2020 and amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Stoneham Park Academy was handed over successfully on budget, on time, safely and to a very high standard following current government SOP guidelines.
Easy design coordination
Early appointment of our M&E sub-contractors enabled early design coordination and robust review of key details in collaboration with Hampshire County Council’s in-house design team. This ensured fabrication in the Streif factory commenced on programme. The preconstruction team visited the factory in Weinsheim, Germany to gather information on the production process. This included a review of on-site sample details and processes to ensure quality control measures were maintained. All panels arrived as fully sealed components with first fix wire ways including electrical conduits and cable ways for the wall panels as well as cut-outs for sockets and switches.
Volume of change
Volume of change within the contract meant that we had to be tenacious and dynamic involving our supply chain and sub-contractors whilst still maintaining programme.
Our Success
Our Learnings
Value Added
Contract | Gateway 2 Planning | Gateway 4 Handover | Variation |
Cost | £6,700,00 | £6,635,072 | -1% |
Time | 59.6 weeks | 48.6 weeks | -11 weeks |
New 2FE (420 place) primary school plus 60-place nursery school provision on greenfield site in Larkhill, Wiltshire. This project was part of the Army Rebasing Programme for the relocation of troops from Germany with 917 homes constructed by Morgan Sindall Group sister company, Lovell.
We identified over £436k of savings through the VE exercise up to Gateway 3, an additional £10k to incorporate cycle storage, and a further £220k incorporated during the project (signed off at Gateway 4). We also successfully delivered the project to a delighted client who gave us a recommended score of 9/10.
100% payment within 30 days terms
100% timber responsibly sourced
Zero RIDDORs
29 beneficiaries
Soft landings for handover
Dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact
On-line portal for notifying any defects with 3 priority categories for response times
Email: kingsley.clarke@devon.gov.uk
Phone: 07805760622
Email: alan.smedley@morgansindall.com
Phone: 07967 686066
The epitome of Team Collaboration
Appointed by Royal Borough of Greenwich, Galliford Try recently completed a 2 form entry community primary school for 420 primary and 26 nursery pupils, including a Behaviour Support Unit hosting up to 18 children. The works comprised a two-storey building, extensive landscaping and sports facilities served by a standalone changing block, which are used by the local community. In addition to a new multi-use games area (MUGA), there are outside learning areas including a wild meadow orchard, forest skills area, trim trails, horticultural area with raised planters and an amphitheatre. The project achieved BREEAM Excellent by maximising passive techniques to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.
There were several challenges the team faced. Budget constraints and keeping to programme despite being bookended by Covid and three national lockdowns and consequently material shortages and delay were their biggest.
Keeping to budget: By engaging with their supply chain partners early in preconstruction, with an emphasis on added value, improved buildability and thus cost efficiencies and actively identifying alternative materials throughout, Galliford Try were able to provide significant savings on the project. Some included redesigning the ground floor slab to in-situ suspended slab, simplification of the window head brick detail and creating dual site access to optimise sequencing, enabling the building and landscape works simultaneously. Comprehensive surveys and ground investigations prior to Contract Award mitigated risks by preventing abortive designs based on assumptions.
The use of BIM Level 2 even though it was not a project requirement reduced both design and installation inefficiencies, saving time and money.
On time delivery: In addition to placing orders early and using more readily available materials to compensate manufacturing shortfalls in the UK and abroad, Galliford Try replaced in-person site visits with Zoom, GoPro cameras and drones for client and end user progress updates and inspections when Covid restrictions and lockdowns were in place.
The school was completed eight weeks early despite the challenges faced with the additional pressures of three national lockdowns, social distancing and reduced productivity (less people on site and delayed materials). The team achieved an overall client satisfaction of 9/10, with 10/10 in time management and Health & Safety.
Payment timescales to all: supply chain and manufactures were agreed and adhered to throughout the project. Payment notices were issued on time with zero ‘pay-less’ notice and 97% of subcontractor final accounts were agreed within two months on Practical Completion.
The project and site manager stayed on site four weeks post project completion and continue to keep in touch with the school, in conjunction with our Aftercare team.
To compliment the Aftercare team’s collaborative workshop to the end users 12 weeks prior to completion, the project team completed several site tours with the school’s executives and headteacher during the final construction phase, where defect sheets were presented, and reporting procedures explained during the walkabouts.
The team achieved AFR ratio 0 and zero RIDDOR, had an average CCS score of 42 and was able to continue to operate safely during Covid with no major outbreaks. The site was awarded ‘Quarterly Safety Award’ twice.
Designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent and with that included details that maximised passive techniques to reduce energy consumption and environmental impacts. Additional features incorporated a highly insulated building envelope, high thermal mass for night cooling, ventilation stacks with heat recovery, 90sqm of solar panels and electric charging points. Acoustic ceiling and breathing building units were installed in classrooms to enhance air quality for better student learning environment and achieved A for energy performance.
Following some tree removal, we reused the logs to form the forest trail and created pathways around the site using mulch (shredded trees). The mulch provided a more stable ground to work on, as well as acting as a nutrient bed for plants.
Employment Skills Plan: 68no of apprentices, 4no of employees who were previously unemployed, 5no careers, curriculum and literacy talks and 8 hours of improving staff wellbeing sessions. Covid-19 prevented us achieving our targets in full during the construction phase. In agreement with Royal Borough of Greenwich, we delivered our promises post project completion.
Greenwich’s own: A labourer, gateperson and welfare labourer/cleaner were employed through Greenwich council’s employment scheme, Greenwich Local Labour and Business.
Looking after the smaller businesses: To encourage greater micro and VCSE participation, we held a Meet the Buyer event at Greenwich Town Hall. To ensure that they could work with us and other contractors in the future, we held individual workshops and supported them by completing minimum requirements like PAS91 and Builder’s Profile registration.
Greater emphasis on health and wellbeing: During the early stages of the pandemic, we arranged for a top medical visitor to deliver a toolbox talk to explain Covid 19 and ‘debunking some of the myths’ surrounding the illness. Not only did this reassure our operatives, but also provided them the opportunity to ask questions and have first-hand information affecting both theirs and their families’ health.
Lasting school legacy: We donated a mosaic plaque with the school’s crest at part of the Opening Ceremony.
Email: james.wright@hants.gov.uk
Phone: : 07761 330560
Email: Angela.Purse@gallifordtry.co.uk
Phone: 07593 561855
Client
Somerset County Council
Contractor
Morgan Sindall
Value
£736k
Contract Period
32 weeks
Expansion of the existing primary school with the addition of three new classrooms using the ‘Class Space’ standard design. The classroom extension included toilets and was situated on the old basketball court, north of the school’s sports hall.
The client wanted the classrooms to be flexible for potential future use and expansion. Therefore, the internal dividing walls were stud work and the school’s preferred option of radiators were used instead of underfloor heating. The position and orientation of the building on the basketball court area were carefully designed so the school could construct another block adjacent to this one in the future. Other considerations included design items, such as mains cable sizes.
The extension was constructed of steel frame, blockwork rendered externally, with a profiled metal roofing system.
Fair Payment Charter
Sustainable Development Charter
Health & Safety Charter
Legacy Charter
Handover & Aftercare Contractor Promise
Careers Opportunities
Maintaining the school’s curriculum while working in a live school environment
Ensuring business continued as normal while coordinating deliveries
Ensuring the design allowed for future use and expansion
Our Success
Our Learnings
Value Added
Contract | Gateway 2 Planning | Gateway 3 Contract Agreement | Variation |
Cost | £2,462k | £2,417k | -1/8% |
Time | 32 weeks | 32 weeks | 0 |
Contact: Alan Smedley, Framework Manager
Email: alan.smedley@morgansindall.com
Client
Dorset County Council
Project Manager
Dorset County Council
Architect
Dorset County Council
Contractor
Morgan Sindall
Value
£2.7m
Contract Period
49 weeks
Procurement Type
Construction only
Form of Contract
JCT 2011 SFC
A new build two storey, separately annexed, classroom block extension to the existing school to increase capacity from 5 Form Entry (600 pupils) to 6 Form Entry (720 pupils). The new building, located to the eastern side of the existing school, provides four spacious classrooms, a multi-purpose resource teaching space, and a new dining hall and kitchen. The Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) was also replaced as the new building was located on the existing facilities.
Live school environment
Phasing of the works, sectional handovers and decanting pupils as works completed
Our Success
Our Learnings
Value Added
Value engineering was carried out with the following outcomes:
Contract | Gateway 3 Contract Agreement | Gateway 4 Practical Completion | Variation |
---|---|---|---|
Cost | £2,707,877 | £2,521,556 | -7.4% |
Time | 45 weeks | 43 weeks | -2 weeks |
Client
Dorset County Council
Project Manager
Dorset County Council
Architect
Dorset County Council
Contractor
Morgan Sindall
Value
£1.46m
Contract Period
43 weeks
Procurement Type
Traditional
Form of Contract
JCT 2011 SFC/CDP/Q
GIFA
180m2
Apprentices
4
Sherborne Abbey CE Primary School is located on the western edge of Sherborne. The existing 1.5 form entry (FE) school was constructed in 1999 but due to an increase in the population of the school aged children in the area, the school needed to expand in size from 1.5FE (315 pupils) to 2FE (420 pupils).
A new single storey extension to the western elevation of the existing school was constructed. The new accommodation comprised of three new class bases, food technology room, two group rooms, toilets and associated ancillary spaces, landscape and drainage works. The existing reception area was also extended and internally re-modelled to provide adequate space.
To enable the construction works to progress whilst the school remained operational, temporary modular accommodation was installed and remained on site for 12 months during the course of the works.
The design of the new extension followed the style and rhythm of the existing traditionally constructed school, being a masonry walling envelope under a pitched tiled roof covering. This retained the established strong sense of identity and consistency. The landscape works included new footpaths to link all new external door entrances to existing paths, hard and soft play areas providing fully accessible circulation routes for disabled users.
Career Development
School remained fully operational throughout works
The school remained fully operational throughout the works and with shared site access the contractors worked closely with the school throughout to minimise the impact on teaching and learning.
Site access
Access to the site was via a bridleway that had to be maintained. Prior to works commencing, the bridleway was upgraded up to the temporary site access to avoid damage and mud onto the public highway. Works were agreed in advance with the Local Authority.
Out of hours work
Elements of the project required localised works within the existing school including classroom refurbishment, a new entrance canopy and reception area, service connections and switchovers. These works were carefully planned prior to commencement on site to be undertaken out of school term and at weekends/out of hours to avoid disruption to the school. Weekly discussions with the school took place on the planned works for the work to avoid impact to the day to day operations of the school.
Our Success
Throughout the project we engaged well with the school, coordinating the works around their requirements to ensure that the safety of pupils was the upmost priority. Consistently maintaining our relationships with local residents with our just in time deliveries and avoiding peak times with school drop off and pick up times. Communication and training with the school as part of the handover process was well received and resulted in the staff feeling confident and competent with their new teaching facility. Following on from a project review, the team received a 10/10 recommendation score from the client after handover.
Our Learnings
The project was fully detailed and specified with limited CDP elements to the works. Notably one challenge arose surrounding the subcontract complex cut roof design which was to interlink to the existing building causing significant delay to the project. We worked with the client team and subcontractors to find a solution as quickly and efficiently as possible through collaborative meetings to resolve the complex design coordination that worked for all parties.
Value Added
Early engagement with the supply chain particularly with the roof design solution resulted in an overall saving for the client.
Contract | Gateway 2 Planning | Gateway 3 Contract Agreement | Gateway 4 Contract Handover | Variation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cost | £1,682,019 | £1,682,019 | £1,460,147 | -15.2% |
Time | 38 weeks | 38 weeks | 43 weeks | +5 weeks |
Client
Devon County Council
Project Manager
NPS Group
Architect
NPS Group
Contractor
Morgan Sindall
Value
£1.6m
Contract Period
59 weeks
Procurement Type
Traditional
Form of Contract
NEC ECC Option A
Size
382 m2
Trainees
10
Works at Totnes St Johns CoE Primary School comprised the demolition of the existing temporary classroom and construction of a large two storey steel frame extension to the existing school. The new extension provided five new classrooms, group rooms, new toilet facilities, extension to existing hall and reshaping of the external footprint. The building was heated with underfloor heating and all classrooms had breathing systems installed, drawing fresh air in to the rooms, creating good working environments for the pupils.
The works all linked in to the existing school and required new openings and access ways formed to enable smooth passage from the existing school to the new extension.
Career Development
Working in a live school environment
The school remained fully operational throughout the works and with shared site access and segregation requirements required the contractors worked closely with the school throughout to minimise the impact on teaching and learning. Weekly meetings were held with the head teacher to plan works, ensuring they were planned carefully, enabling all users to maintain a high quality of safety throughout the contract.
High risk activities
Works were sequenced so that the high risk demolition and steel lifting activities were undertaken during the school holidays. We had to keep in regular contact with the school and would speak with the headteacher most days. These were highlighted as key objectives in our customer charter. All possible access points to the construction site were secured with solid hoardings / secured gates.
Detailed client co-ordination
The existing hall was extended to meet the requirements for the number of pupils currently at the school, requiring detailed client co-ordination and relocation of the school front entrance.
Our Success
Our Learnings
Value Added
Contract | Gateway 2 Planning | Gateway 3 Contract Agreement | Variation |
---|---|---|---|
Cost | £1,304,215 | £1,304,215 | 0% |
Time | 45.3 weeks | 45.3 week | 0 weeks |