£6.6m New Projects for Local Contractor

An artist’s impression of the new dining hall extension at Burton Borough School in Newport

 

Building contractor wins £6.6m of new projects 

 

A Shropshire building contractor has landed three new contracts in the education and care sector.

Pave Aways will design and build a single storey extension at Lawley Village Academy in Telford that will allow the school to offer an additional 210 places along with a new nursery and associated internal and external works.

The Knockin based contractor will also build a dining hall extension and refurbish the kitchen at Burton Borough School in Newport, where it carried out an extension and refurbishment to the main hall in 2019. Both projects are on behalf of Telford & Wrekin Council.

Additionally, Pave Aways has been commissioned to carry out a refurbishment and small extension at a children’s home near Shrewsbury for Shropshire Council’s Property Services Group.

Managing director Steven Owen said:

“These new contracts are the latest in a long line of new build, extensions and refurbishments in the education and care sector and play to our strength of being able to deliver high quality new facilities whilst organisations carry on their day-to-day operation.

“It’s also good news for our supply chain of suppliers and sub-contractors as we’re committed to using businesses within a 20-mile radius of the jobs, ensuring a boost to the economy by keeping our spend local.”

Pave Aways, which celebrates its 50th year in business this October, is currently working on a number of other education projects including the new £5.1m girls’ house at Shrewsbury School and science laboratories at Packwood Haugh as well contracts in the healthcare, charity and manufacturing sectors.

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New School: Flattened Before Finished

A new primary school is being flattened before it is finished, with children being taught in temporary buildings. The academy had been under construction but was hit by a number of delays.

Now workers have been on site pulling down the buildings, after work first started in January 2021. The school had originally been set to open in September 2021.

However a number of delays set back the project including the company which provided the buildings – Caledonian Modular – going into administration in April 2022. The school was forced to start educating children from a temporary site at Newquay Sports Centre.

Last May Lisa Mannall, Cornwall Education Learning Trust (CELT) lead from the multi-academy trust behind the new Newquay Primary Academy, said:

“Due to unforeseen delays incurred by the Department for Education (DfE) to provide suitable accommodation for Newquay Primary Academy (NPA), Newquay Sports Centre, CELT and the Newquay community have pulled together to provide a site for the town’s children.”

People in Newquay who have watched the demolition taking place this week have been commenting on social media to say that they think it is a waste.

Jessica May wrote on Facebook:

“What a huge shame. Waste of all the materials, environmentally terrible.” And Marie Pearce added: “What a total waste! These people have no imagination or ability to think outside their bureaucratic boxes.”

The Newquay school is not the only one in Cornwall affected by the collapse of Caledonian Modular. The new Sky Academy planned at the West Carclaze Garden Village near St Austell was also set to be built by the firm and work had also started on building the new Launceston Primary School.

At West Carclaze work had started on preparing the site for the new school but no building work had started when the project was halted. The new school has been operating from a temporary site at the Eden Project until the new buildings are ready.

In Launceston work is also set to start on demolishing the part-built school there. The Department for Education has been reported as stating:

“The main contractor originally appointed by DfE unexpectedly went into administration in March 2022, leaving several construction issues that do not comply with the DfE’s strict construction standards.

“Detailed surveys of the buildings have been completed to identify the extent of these issues and a plan of action has been agreed with the replacement main contractor to rectify and complete the works and ensure that the new building is fully compliant with the DfE’s strict quality and safety requirements. Works are anticipated to be complete in Summer 2024.”

CELT has been contacted to comment on the current situation at Newquay Primary Academy and said it would respond but has failed to do so.

 

Source: Nottinghamshire Live

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Work Starts on Maltby Grammar School renovation project

Clegg Construction starts work on Maltby Grammar School renovation project

Contractor Clegg Construction has started work on an exciting £5.9m renovation scheme to repurpose the derelict Maltby Grammar School near Rotherham into a community resource and education facility.

The company has pledged to support a range of local health and wellbeing projects and employment and skills development opportunities during the contract, and it is estimated that up to £1.25m will be pumped into the local economy after Clegg Construction committed to use as many local sub-contractors, suppliers and enterprises as possible.

Pre-Construction Director, Ross Crowcroft, said:

“Maltby Grammar School has played a pivotal role in the local community over many decades and the team at Clegg Construction is very pleased to be breathing new life into this historic building and giving it a future.

“This project will provide significant new facilities for the area in terms of learning and development. We have pledged to support the local community in a number of ways during the duration of this project as part of our commitment to the communities that we work in.

“We are pleased to have now made a start on site and look forward to the renovation project progressing over the coming months. We have wide experience of working both within the heritage sector and the education sector, so this scheme is a perfect fit for our expertise at Clegg Construction.”

Built in the early 1930s, the school closed in 2012 and had fallen into a state of disrepair after being mothballed.

Maltby Learning Trust is now bringing the historic building back into use with plans which include the creation of incubator space for training and apprenticeships, bookable workspaces and serviced hot-desking, and start-up support for the leisure and hospitality sectors.

The re-purposed building – known for its impressive clock tower – will also extend Maltby Learning Trust’s Post 16 specialist facilities for students who attend Maltby Academy and Sir Thomas Wharton Academy sixth form provision.

Clegg Construction has just started work on site to refurbish the building and also to build a new steel frame extension in the existing courtyard to provide space for an exhibition hall.

The company is also exploring opportunities to work with the school’s estates team to create outdoor space for tree and flower planting, along with bee and butterfly corridors.

David Sutton, Chief Executive Officer of Maltby Learning Trust, said:

We are absolutely delighted to announce that work has now started on redeveloping the old Maltby Grammar School.

“The works will see the old Grammar School building repurposed and will create a community resource that accommodates local services, supports wellbeing, employment and enterprise, and provides substantial learning opportunities for the Maltby community.

“This is an exciting time for Maltby Learning Trust and this project will see us taking a building that hasn’t been occupied for nearly a decade and create an inclusive multi-functional space that will host a series of community events and learning activities.”

The redevelopment project was part of a winning bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund secured by Rotherham Council, which focused on boosting the leisure and hospitality sectors in the area. The Levelling Up Fund will provide £4.5m towards the project.

The renovation is due to be completed at the end of this year. Other members of the team working alongside Clegg Construction include Self Architects, engineer GCA Ltd and employer’s agent and project manager Cube.

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 specialities across a range of different sectors.

For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk

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New School to replace building evacuated as being in a ‘State of Disrepair’

South London pupils will get a new school after they had to leave their old building because of ” numerous health and safety concerns”. 

Students at Iqra Primary School will move into the new classrooms from next year, after Lambeth councillors approved plans to redevelop the school’s former Park Hill site in Clapham.

Under the proposals, the school’s ex-1970s blocks will be bulldozed and replaced with a new building with green roofs and solar panels. All 236 kids who attended the Islamic school’s former site before its closure in June 2022 will be rehoused in the new building.

Pupils have been taught in a spare classroom at nearby Kings Avenue School since they had to leave the Park Hill site.  Headteacher Humaira Saleem said the new Department of Education (DofE) funded building would allow kids to receive top teaching in a safe environment.

In a statement read out on her behalf at a council meeting on February 21, she said:

 

“I have witnessed the struggles and difficulties our students have faced every day due to the poor state of our current building. The current building is in a state of disrepair with outdated facilities, inadequate space and numerous health and safety concerns.

“Despite these obstacles, our school has provided excellent education to the children of Lambeth. It has been rated as outstanding by Ofsted and has continued to serve our community with distinction. We believe it is now time to build on this success and ensure our students can receive a high-quality education in a modern, safe and stimulating learning environment.”

 

Emma Penson, from planning consultants DWD said the buildings on the site were no longer suitable for the school. Speaking on behalf of the DofE, she said:

 

“The planning application provides a modern and quality school for the pupils and staff of Iqra.  The existing buildings are no longer suitable for the school, being dated, in poor condition and at the end of their working life.

“The Department of Education are thrilled that the planning application is being recommended for approval tonight. They are very much looking forward to delivering a modern, high-quality primary school for the pupils and staff of Iqra.”

 

But Krysta Shimamura, a local resident who lives across from the school, said she was concerned about smells and noise because of the building’s design. She told the meeting:

 

“According to the odour assessment report, this property has been classified as high risk in odour. The kitchen and bin storage have been moved closer to our property.

“Design option three puts the playground and assembly hall closer to our house than in design option two. As individuals who work from home regularly, this will disrupt our work day. We work from home four days a week.”

 

A Lambeth Council planning committee made up of five Labour councillors and one green councillor approved the new school at a meeting on February 21. One councillor abstained.

 

Source: Clapham Nub News

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Plans for new School Unveiled

Exciting plans for a new school that will transform education for vulnerable learners in Powys have been unveiled, the county council has said.

 

Powys County Council is to build a new £9.1m school for Brynllywarch Hall School as part of its Transforming Education programme. The school, located in Kerry near Newtown, provides education for pupils from 8 to 19-year-olds, with a wide range of complex emotional, behavioural and social difficulties.

A pre-application consultation for the proposed development has started, which allows interested parties to comment on the plans before a planning application is submitted.

The pre-application consultation will close on Tuesday, 14 March, 2023.

The council and its construction partner ISG Construction will also be showcase the exciting plans at two drop-in events that will take place at the school on the following days:

  • Tuesday 28 February between 3.30pm and 7pm
  • Tuesday 7 March between 3.30pm and 7pm

The drop-in events will be open to the whole school community as well as members of the public.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said:

 

“The new building for Brynllywarch Hall School is a vital step to ensuring we deliver education in a safe and stimulating environment for all our pupils. This project will provide modern facilities for our pupils and teaching staff and help them to deliver an enjoyable and fulfilling education experience for everyone.

“These drop-in events provide a great opportunity for everyone in the school community and members of the public to view these exciting plans, which will transform education for vulnerable learners in Powys.”

 

 

To view the pre-application consultation documents online visit https://www.asbriplanning.co.uk/statutory-pre-application-consultation/ which also gives details on how you can make representations on the proposed plans.

 

Source: Powys

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A lesson on procuring via frameworks

By Nick Beard, Group Technical Officer, LHC Group

 

Can you describe some of the current financial / economic challenges faced by schools?

 

Like most other sectors, education is feeling the squeeze as the cost of living crisis deepens and the UK heads towards recession.

Frustrated with pay conditions, hundreds of thousands of teachers across England and Wales are set to strike throughout February and March – placing pressure on the government and National Education Union (NEU) to come to a last-minute deal on pay if they are to prevent pupils facing further disruption to their education.

School budgets are being stretched more than ever and any pay increases will have to be funded through efficiency savings, meaning other areas – such as building works and refurbishment – may lose out.

This is unfortunate, as many of the UK’s schools have become tired and are no longer fit for purpose, having been standing for up to 60 years in some cases. And while the government’s School Rebuilding Programme is going some way to addressing this, only a select few of the schools and sixth-form colleges most in need are able to benefit. The demand is high as the system-built sites of the 1960s and 70s near the end of their design lives.

 

How is that all affecting their refurbishment / new building programmes?

 

The cost of construction materials remains high and the labour shortage is continuing across the construction industry, meaning schools are finding it hard to make their budgets work and secure projects.

In January, British Steel announced a hike in its prices by £75 a tonne, while analysis of data from EU member states, the central EU database, Eurostat, and the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) shows the cost of labour in Britain has increased by 30% since the Brexit referendum.

Refurbishment, extension and new-build projects are also affected by the fact that contractors are often committed to projects – particularly in the education sector, where companies tend to find their money through refurbishment works – at least 18 months in advance. Therefore, forward planning is important but not always possible. For example, if schools want to plan works during the six-week summer holiday, it’s highly likely that all suitable contractors will have already committed to work by now.

This is when practices like offsite manufacturing can come into their own, as they minimise disruption and risks to staff and pupils and enable buildings to be put up quickly. This is particularly beneficial for refurbishment or expansion programmes, where they can be built in advance and then transported and installed on site within a six-week window.

 

Why might schools procure building work through a framework?

 

It makes sense for schools to procure through a framework as they have to comply with procurement regulations but may not have the in-house skills or resource to carry out the more complex and time-consuming procurement procedures the regulations require. Using frameworks removes a lot of this complex regulatory procurement part from the process and allows buyers to focus on securing suitable contractors for their specific project from a pre-vetted list.

At most schools, a capital project is something staff will more than likely only procure once in a lifetime, so the existing team and governors may not have the relevant expertise to do that. By using a framework, staff can get the framework provider to assist them with early market engagement and support and advice with the call off process.

 

What are the benefits for schools of procuring through a framework?

 

Frameworks can allow for faster procurement. As suppliers have already been through the statutory periods, schools can speed up the procurement process and better focus on what they need.

They also offer access to a selection of high-quality, pre-approved and pre-assessed contractors. This gives assurance to clients where the resource may not exist to undertake a procurement process alone.

There is also the option of procuring via mini competition or direct award, so frameworks can provide a solution where an urgent requirement necessitates.

And while there continues to be plenty of discussion around sustainability and creating buildings fit for the future, procurement frameworks can facilitate access to specialist consultants and expertise in carbon net zero building, or asset maintenance long-term.

 

Why might schools procure using an LHC framework?

 

Besides all of the benefits listed above, schools may choose to procure via an LHC framework for the comprehensiveness and flexibility our frameworks provide. Procuring via an LHC framework enables the clients to work with LHC and our appointed companies to deliver exactly what they need.

 

When did LHC first launch a framework dedicated to the building, extension, and refurbishment of schools and what was this called?

 

Our Education Framework for Contractors (EF1) was launched in 2009 and was predominantly aimed at lower cost refurbishment works for education.

 

How and why has LHC developed and adapted its framework that covers the building, extension, and refurbishment of schools?

 

Following EF1 we launched our Schools and Community Buildings framework (SCB1) in 2013, which was picked up by the Educational Funding Authority in the South East because they didn’t have a lower value framework for contracts.

We evolved SCB1 in 2017 to become SCB2 and, following feedback from clients, expanded on the scope to cover any type of non-residential public building.

When we launched our Public Buildings Construction and Infrastructure framework (PB3) in 2021, we consulted again with clients and subsequently introduced a specific workstream for the refurbishment of existing buildings to assist schools and other public sector authorities with finding specialist contractors that carry out refurbishment and improvement work on non-residential buildings.

PB3, which also includes buildings for NHS and blue light services and an infrastructure workstream, is due to operate until 30th September 2025. We also added a range of value bands to help support SMEs with gaining a place on the framework and accessing public sector clients.

 

Can you talk me through the process of appointing companies onto the PB3 framework and how they are assessed?

 

A single stage open tender process was used. We looked at the general competency of suppliers but also their experience and ability to deliver the different types of buildings and projects they applied for, to make sure they had the right knowledge and capability for working in education (including special educational needs), healthcare, and blue light services.

We used a range of criteria to assess the suitability of applicants, including:

  • Good standing and company governance
  • Financial due diligence and insurances
  • Accreditations and certifications
  • Case study examples (of previous similar projects)
  • Live project scenarios
  • Fire safety
  • Sustainability and achieving net carbon zero

 

We also asked specifically about things like the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), which is a way to assess a building’s environmental credentials once it’s been constructed. We are finding that a lot of LHC clients want a BREEAM score for their buildings, so we asked suppliers whether they have delivered this before and, if not, quizzed them on who they would use for this. This is aimed at getting them to identify assessors and how they would approach the process of delivering the requirements of BREEAM.

 

What kind of companies do you have on PB3 – can you name some stand-out companies?

 

There are a total of 47 companies on the PB3 framework, including tier one contractors Galliford Try, Kier, Vinci, and Willmott Dixon but also more local and regional contractors.

 

About PB3

 

The Public Buildings Construction and Infrastructure (PB3) framework allows local authorities, social landlords and other public sector bodies to source contractors for works relating to the construction and refurbishment of educational, healthcare, emergency service and community buildings. It can also be used for residential properties within mixed-use developments, student accommodation, conversion of commercial building for residential use, and can include associated infrastructure works.

The framework is worth up to £750 million in England, £750 million in Scotland and £100 million in Wales.

 

For more information CLICK HERE

 

 

 

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Building social value into school construction projects

Our construction frameworks allow schools to embed social value in the way most appropriate to their circumstances. 5 top tips on what you need to consider

 

Social value in procurement is about making sure that what you buy creates additional benefits for society. To get it right, you need to start thinking as early as possible about how to apply it to what you are buying.

The PPN 06/20 policy note highlighted changes that mean public sector buyers are required to think differently about how they secure social value from the goods and services they buy for their local area.

This significant policy change meant that social value became a mainstream priority in all public sector procurement from 2021 onwards.

What is social value and why is it important for schools?

A properly planned and delivered school building project not only has the potential to have a transformational impact on the lives of learners but it can also be beneficial to the wider community, provided social value considerations are taken into account during the procurement process.

Social value is created when projects support environmental, economic and social wellbeing. In the case of school construction, this might involve commissioning a project that requires the suppliers bidding for the work to state what environmental benefits they would offer should they win the contract. These could include installing solar panels to supplement the energy supply to sourcing sustainable materials.

When a school signs a new contract, they can ask prospective suppliers to consider what they would be able to offer in terms of social value themes; this could include creating local employment opportunities, reducing energy and water consumption, detection and prevention of modern slavery or minimising damage to the environment

What precise environmental, economic and social outcomes you choose to prioritise is up to you but your bid evaluation exercise will work much better if you have a clear understanding of what your social value ‘ask’ is from the start. This will help you to draft your specification and evaluation questions and avoid any sense that social value is arbitrary.

To ensure that there are clear lines of sight between your social value expectations and what suppliers can offer, here’s our 5 top tips on what you need to consider.

  1. Embed throughout the project

Focus on embedding social value considerations throughout the project. For larger projects consider a project specific social value strategy. Don’t wait until the main contractor tender to start thinking about it either, consider writing clear guidance around social value and what is expected in the brief.

  1. Don’t ask for everything

Early community engagement brings tailored social outcomes. This will help your team to be able to focus on what social value outcomes you want for your project and help to avoid you asking for everything. What are the key themes for the area of construction? Does it have a high unemployment rate? Engage with local charities and social enterprises to find out what’s important to them.

  1. Consider what questions to ask at tender stage

Tailor your questions to be project specific and drive a SMART answer. Think carefully about who you ask to assess and score these questions, it should be someone with the right skills and experience to know a good answer from a bad one.

  1. Make it contractual and monitor

Getting some great social value outcomes at the tender stage is fantastic, but it’s really important that this is fed through and delivered. One way to do this is to convert these promises into social value KPI’s that are monitored throughout.

  1. Ask for data

Include clear instructions on exactly what you want captured. For example, if you’re asking for contractors to train apprentices, ask them to record apprentice initials and postcode, the programme, level and start and end dates so that you can interrogate the data. Ensure your contract has a right to audit clause and that any data you collect is GDPR compliant.

How CCS can help support your next school building project

Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) construction frameworks allow customers to embed social value in the way most appropriate to their circumstances.

There’s a wide range of social value related considerations, such as opportunities for disadvantaged groups, contributing to achieving healthy communities, driving climate change, and with recent impacts of EU exit on labour, social value that considers upskilling the workforce and providing job opportunities has become more important than ever

Find out more

For more advice on including social value in your construction projects, CLICK HERE

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Creating Better Environments for a Better Education

The effectiveness of education provided to students is directly proportional to the quality of the learning environment where the teaching is delivered. Optimal acoustics, thermal performance, air quality, natural lighting, security and aesthetics work harmoniously together to positively impact how students and teachers stay comfortable and focused, and perform academically.

Kawneer continuously invests in façade systems that create excellent learning environments, allowing specifiers to choose from a wide variety of market leading products designed and built to the highest possible standards.

From a suite of products specifically designed for the Education sector, highlights include the AA®190 TB, a severe duty welded commercial entrance door that offers robust performance, the AA®720 SL window, offering great thermal characteristics and slim sightlines, and our market leading AA®100 curtain wall system, which provides a best-in-class performance.

Facing the challenges together

With a vast amount of experience in this sector, helping to create buildings that deliver aesthetic, cost and performance requirements, Kawneer understands the challenges faced by architects, fabricators and maintenance teams.That’s why it specialises in aluminium façade solutions that provide excellent performance, best value, unmatched durability, reduced maintenance and a low carbon footprint.

Kawneer manufactures its high performance aluminium systems at its purpose-built manufacturing facility in Runcorn, Cheshire. These products allow specifiers to meet both the technical performance and cost brief of any project, creating excellent learning environments that provide great aesthetics and optimise natural light and ventilation.

Leading by example

Kawneer is one of very few suppliers with the BES 6001 accreditation, a document proving our products are made with responsibly sourced raw materials. We also have ‘Life Cycle Assessments’ and ‘Environmental Product Declarations’ (EPDs) for our three main systems.

Teachers strive to ensure the experience and knowledge they pass on to a new generation lasts a lifetime. Kawneer wants the buildings it has helped to create to withstand the test of time and ensure they provide comfortable learning environments for all future generations.

Your next education project

We have built up a well-established and successful legacy in this sector, so whether you are looking for a thermally efficient Passivhaus solution, an outward opening cost-effective casement window or a robust entrance door that is tested to a severe duty category, we have the right product choice and combination for your next education project.

 

 

kawneer-education.com

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CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SANDWELL COLLEGE CAMPUS BEGINS

Preparatory ground works for the construction of the £4.8 million Sandwell Civil and Mechanical Engineering Centre (Sandwell MEC) on West Bromwich High Street have begun.

Contractors have been on site since November 2022, preparing the foundations, sub-structure and external works for the new campus and are set to complete this round of works by February 2023.

As a new technical campus for Sandwell College, the centre will encompass new technologies to deliver a range of academic, vocational and apprenticeship courses. These will cover areas of skills shortage including engineering, construction and advanced manufacturing, as well as addressing other areas of demand for higher and advanced level skills and qualifications.

The new facility will prepare hundreds of young people and adults for future life and work. Students will also benefit from activities that will enable them to progress into the workforce, higher skills jobs, or to continue their learning at university.

Construction of the campus building – which will be a modular build – is expected to start between March and April 2023, with completion due by September 2023. Modular construction is much quicker than conventional construction. It takes place offsite, using controlled plant conditions, before the components of the building are transported and assembled at the final location.

Creating a  900sqm facility on remediated land along West Bromwich High Street, the new Sandwell MEC is part of the £1.8bn ‘Regenerating Sandwell’ pipeline of regeneration projects being delivered across the borough’s six towns over the next five years. Funding for the project has been provided by the Towns Fund, Department for Education, and Sandwell College.

Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth said: “I am delighted that preparatory works for the construction of the Sandwell MEC have begun. The new campus will grow West Bromwich’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’ and is one of ten education and skills projects aimed at increasing provision in the borough under our £1.8bn ‘Regenerating Sandwell’ pipeline. By enhancing skills infrastructure, Sandwell has an opportunity to build on recent increases in skills levels which will pave the way to a more prosperous future. This will prepare residents for future industries, and, in time, bring good quality and well-paying jobs to the borough.”

Sandwell College Principal, Graham Pennington said: “With thanks to Sandwell Council and the Town Fund, the College will launch its new specialist centre for engineering and associated technologies offering academic, technical and apprenticeship courses. This is an exciting development for the town and the borough and will bring further regeneration to the High Street of West Bromwich. We look forward to welcoming students and apprentices at the centre in September 2023.”

Chris Hinson, Chair of West Bromwich Town Deal Board, said: “I am pleased to see ground works proceeding smoothly on site to prepare for the start of construction work in the Spring. Sandwell MEC will be West Bromwich’s education hub, delivering in-demand skills to meet the needs of business – including Sandwell’s specialisms in construction, manufacturing and logistics. This exciting project is part of the Towns Fund investment to support high quality skills and training hubs related to key growth sectors and opportunities that could deliver good quality and well-paying jobs to Sandwell.”

More information on ‘Regenerating Sandwell’ can be found on the Council’s regeneration website.

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Construction work begins to build new one-form entry school

Photo: Jaktphotography

 

Contractor G F Tomlinson has begun work on the 1,500sqm Anna Seward Primary School in Lichfield, which is due for completion in summer 2023.

G F Tomlinson is working alongside Staffordshire County Council, design and project managers Entrust and architects Arc Partnership.

The £7 million, two-storey building will offer 210 primary school and 26 nursery places and is being developed to expand primary school provision in Lichfield in response to an increased demand for places in the local area.

It will welcome its first cohort of new students in September next year.

A key milestone in the project was celebrated this month when Jonathan Price, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, and representatives from Staffordshire County Council and G F Tomlinson were in attendance to mark the placement of the final steel beam.

The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, which will manage the school once complete, was also in attendance including newly-appointed headteacher Richard Storer.

 

Chris Flint, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We feel honoured to be delivering our sixth project for Staffordshire County Council.

“It’s fantastic to be able to play an important part in increasing more school places in the local area, which are in high demand.

“We’re excited to see the school take shape over the coming months and welcome in a brand-new cohort of students in September next year, as the children embark on their educational journeys.”

Jonathan Price, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “Having planned this school for a while in response to an increased need for primary school places in the area, it is really good to see the progress being made on site.

“It is essential that we continue to plan ahead in response to local housing developments, to ensure there are enough school places to cope with increased demand.

“I will look forward to seeing how the construction on this school progresses over the coming months.”

 

Richard Gill CBE, the CEO of academy sponsor Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, said: “It’s hugely exciting to see many months of planning coming to fruition as building work begins at Anna Seward Primary, which becomes the landmark 20th school within our Trust.

“The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership has built a highly-respected reputation for delivering excellence in education to primary and secondary school pupils at our existing schools in Lichfield and beyond. Parents of prospective pupils can expect such high standards at Anna Seward Primary.

“Our recent school open evening and online and in-person school consultations have shown that many parents are taking a very keen interest in the school, with good numbers already indicating that Anna Seward is their first choice.”

Source: Express  & Star

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