Extension of pioneering engineering college complete

The £12.6m extension of a pioneering engineering college has been handed over by a tier one contractor with the help of its students. Morgan Sindall Construction completed the works at Thomas Telford University Technical College (UTC) in Wolverhampton, a year after starting on site.

 

The 4,500 sq m extension has increased the school’s intake by 450 additional pupils, taking the total capacity to 1,050, while supporting at least 50 additional roles for teaching and support staff.

The expanded sports and teaching spaces will enable the delivery of a full secondary academic syllabus, allowing pupils aged 11-18 years old to be taught at the UTC. Students will also study a range of technical options in the built environment, including architecture, design and innovation.

After topping out the three-storey building in the summer, the contractor turned its attention to a reconfigured and enhanced external social space and multi-use games area. The development also provided a new performance space and refurbished kitchen.

As part of its commitment to delivering social value, Morgan Sindall Construction guaranteed eight new job starts for unemployed people from the area and achieved a 75% spend through local subcontractors. The contractor will also supply the college’s football team with sponsored kits.

Two pupils from the college were also able to cut their teeth in the construction industry and are heading into the second year of their T Level qualification with important practical experience gained through the main contractor and its supply chain.

The T levels were developed by the school’s Vice Principal, Simon Maxfield and the Department of Education’s Construction Education Advisory Board. They feed into the college’s reputation for providing young people with a unique combination of excellent academic achievement alongside first class preparation for future careers.

 

Andre Duncan, a student from the University of Wolverhampton who worked on the development, has also been offered a graduate site manager role and is now working at the contractor’s University of Birmingham Molecular Sciences development.

Andre said: “My initial thought was to make the best the opportunity that was given to me. I never had any on site experience, so this was a great learning experience which also aided me with my studies.”

 

Richard Fielding, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction said: “We believe the new learning and activity space will create an enhanced and more enjoyable environment and inspire the future generation of leaders in construction.

“Thanks to a collaborative approach, we were able to deliver the UTC on schedule despite supply chain shortages and I want to thank the whole team for their resilience and hard work. We also navigated the challenges of working on a historic site and worked closely with the council to retain the listed walls in the Springfield conservation area and ensured the features of the building are in keeping with the local area such as a sawtooth pitched roof and the use of red oxide cladding.

“We were very eager to take on two T Level students who can proudly say they played a part in the project delivery and we are thrilled to see our work experience student from the University of Wolverhampton has deservedly joined us as a graduate site manager. These achievement emphasise the importance of social value and is something we strive to achieve with every project.”

 

Morgan Sindall Construction was awarded the contract to expand Thomas Telford University Technical College (UTC) by the Department for Education (DfE), and the Thomas Telford Multi-Academy Trust which operates the UTC. Funding for the UTC is from the DfE with a contribution from the City of Wolverhampton Council.

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Academy selects location for 2025 school rebuild

A Wolverhampton academy has selected the location for a state-of-the-art rebuild planned for 2025.

 

The academy and Three Spires Trust have since worked with contractors to undertake several feasibility studies on the site to determine the location of the new school building.

Kier Construction has been appointed by the DfE as the main contractor for the new building, which will replace four of the current seven buildings on the school’s site and will be located on the site of ‘A block’.

 

Daniel Sherriff, vice principal, said: “The appointment of Kier Construction is an important milestone for the project and we are delighted with the progress made so far in our journey to a new academy building.

“Although St Peter’s is much more than the buildings, it is undoubted that moving into a new building in 2025 will transform the education we offer to our students currently and in the future.

“State-of-the-art learning environments will be central to our core business of empowering students to become curious, independent and proactive members of society through a broad and rich curriculum, delivered both in and outside of the classroom.”

Contractors are expected to commence on site Summer 2023, with subjects currently taught in A block moving into temporary accommodation in Autumn 2023.

David Yorke, regional director, Kier Construction Eastern and Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to be appointed by the DfE to support St Peter’s Academy and Three Spires Trust to develop the design, and ultimately deliver this important new school building.

“As experts in delivering education projects in live school environments, we understand the needs of the school to continue to support their student’s education.

“We look forward to playing our part in creating a first-class educational setting for pupils, students, staff and local communities in Wolverhampton.”

Source: Express & Star

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NEW SPORTS CENTRE TO BENEFIT SCHOOL AND LOCAL COMMUNITY

Carter Jonas Achieves Planning Consent for the Perse School in Cambridge – New Sports Centre to Benefit School and Local Community

 

National property consultancy Carter Jonas has secured planning consent on behalf of the Perse Upper School for a substantial new sports centre which will include a swimming pool, sports hall, climbing wall and changing village, together with associated car and cycle parking and landscaping.

Consent was awarded by Cambridge City Council on 5 October 2022.

The new 2,706 sq m facility will be located within the Perse School’s existing campus on Hills Road, to the south of the city centre.

A Community Access Agreement, to be secured by planning condition, will enable local people to use the facilities either through affiliation with local sports clubs or on a ‘pay and play’ basis. This will include early morning and evening swimming two days a week in addition to weekend family swimming session.  Each week, local residents will benefit from 45 hours of access, rising to 80 or more during the school holidays.

A contractor has been appointed and construction is expected to proceed as soon as pre-development planning conditions are approved by the City Council.

 

Colin Brown, Head of Planning & Development at Carter Jonas, who is based in its Cambridge office, commented, ‘Achieving planning consent for this new facility was challenging as it displaces a protected playing field which is technically in conflict with the Local Plan. However, the opportunity for both the Perse School and local residents to benefit from some excellent new facilities was seen as a substantial benefit, both in terms of education and health and wellbeing. As such, we were pleased to make a strong case for the proposal, and we are delighted that it was positively received by the City Council.’

 

Alison Shakespeare, Bursar of The Perse commented, ‘We are extremely pleased to have achieved planning permission for this exciting project.  Carter Jonas have been involved from the outset, and their help and advice has been invaluable.”

 

In achieving planning success, Carter Jonas worked alongside architects Saunders Boston and AECOM (project managers and quantity surveyors).

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Fire Engulfs Primary School, but Children are Safe

Pupils will be learning online after a major fire tore through the roof of their primary school. Manorbier VC Primary School was evacuated on Monday morning when the fire started.

An investigation is now underway in how the fire started at the school in Manorbier, near Tenby.

Pembrokeshire Council said continuity arrangements has been put in place and all children are undertaking online learning from Tuesday. The council said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the fire. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the fire has been extinguished, but had destroyed a large section of the roof, and there had been “considerable damage” to an adjoining building.

Fire crews extinguished the fire using six breathing apparatus, six hose reel jets, one turntable ladder, ladders and small gear. All utilities were isolated and the crews main activities involved firefighting and prevention of escalation to other buildings.

A spokeswoman from Mid & West Wales Fire And Rescue Service said: “Crews from Pembroke Dock and Tenby currently remain on scene. Incident is now in the responsibility of local authorities.”

 

An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said: “There was smoke coming out of the roof tiles. Smoke was coming out of all the tiles. It just caught into flames then. The children were in there at the time. The owner of a local caravan park told the school to bring them to the club house to keep safe. Their parents came here to collect them.”

Damian Brown, who owns Buttyland Manor Caravan and Camping Park, next to the school, said he saw the fire and rushed to help.

He told BBC Wales: “It’s traumatising to see a school on fire. I saw the smoke and went over and the children were already outside and the parents then collected them from the clubhouse. It’s a lovely old building and it’s a shock to the community. We’re glad everyone is safe and well.”

 

 

Source: Wales Online

 

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Leeds College of Building Celebrates National T Levels Week

Leeds College of Building T Level students practise levelling – a practical application of surveying methods learnt in the classroom

This week is the first National T Levels Week (Monday 10 – Friday 14 October 2022) – a celebration of the successful new two-year vocational training programme.

Leeds College of Building is now offering this new qualification to students with the introduction of the Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction T Level course.

Leeds College of Building is among a select number of education providers across England chosen to deliver this T Level programme from September 2022. At the heart of the course, a 45-day industry placement opens opportunities for the brightest talent entering the market.

T Levels are qualifications for 16- to 19-year-olds, taken after GCSEs. They are broadly equivalent in size to 3 A levels and focus on technical and vocational skills. They can help students into skilled employment, higher study, or apprenticeships.

These pioneering new qualifications have been designed in collaboration with leading employers to provide the skills businesses across the region need. The subject areas on offer reflect top business growth areas, such as construction.

Time is split between 80% classroom learning and 20% industry placement lasting approximately seven weeks. All students will develop a general understanding of construction, including accurate and appropriate measurements, construction methods and building regulations, digital engineering techniques, design principles and processes, Computer Aided Design (CAD), mathematical problem-solving, and sustainability and environmental impact.

In addition to the core content, Leeds College of Building students will specialise in surveying and design for construction and the built environment. They will also study laser scanning – a land surveying method that can accurately measure and collect data from buildings and landscapes.

 

Nikki Davis, CEO & Principal at Leeds College of Building, said:

“Leeds College of Building is the UK’s only general Further Education college specialising in Construction and the Built Environment. As such, we are perfectly placed to work with our established network of regional and national employers to enhance T Level opportunities for students.

“T Level students at Leeds College of Building will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and specialist teaching expertise. Students also benefit from established progression opportunities within higher and degree-level apprenticeships at the College and employment opportunities through our construction partners.

“Leeds College of Building is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. This new qualification will help us to better serve the region’s young people and workforce, opening up even more opportunities into high paying, skilled jobs.”

 

Caddick Construction Limited is one of the employers offering Leeds College of Building T Level students work placements. Debbie Watson, Social Value Manager (Yorkshire) at Caddick Construction Ltd, said:

“The new T Levels are a great alternative to entry-level qualifications as they help students gain valuable ‘on the job’ experience whilst undertaking their qualification, which will give them a great advantage going forward in their career.  It will also help employers gain an early insight into the latest talent pool, helping with recruitment and social value benefits.  It also helps us to develop the knowledge, attitude, and skills of the students entering the built environment.

“Whilst working with us, students will spend time in each department at both our offices and on our sites to understand the workings of the main contractor.  Students will also spend time with our consultants, such as the Architect, to understand how projects get to site, as well as spending time with subcontractors on our projects learning more about life on site.”

 

To find out more about T Levels starting in 2023, register your interest in attending the Leeds College of Building Open Event on Thursday 20 October, North Street Campus, 5-7pm: CLICK HERE

Leeds College of Building

Leeds College of Building was established in 1960 and is the only specialist general further education construction college in the UK. The College currently has around 5,500 students and offers a comprehensive range of more than 200 courses related to construction and the built environment. In total, the College trains nearly 2,800 Apprentices across all areas of the College’s provision. Over 600 employers from across the UK work with Leeds College of Building. Places on courses starting in September are still available. To find out more, visit: www.lcb.ac.uk.

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Phoenix Tree to rise from demolition

The Alan Berry building

A Phoenix Tree is set to rise from the demolition of the Alan Berry building as Coventry University pays tribute to the city’s history.

The university has commissioned Blitz survivor George Wagstaffe to create a sculpture that will take centre stage in a new peace garden.

Like George’s other famous city centre works – the Naiad, now based in the Upper Precinct; and the Phoenix, in Bull Yard, off Hertford Street – the new bronze Phoenix Tree sculpture will explore themes of death, rebirth and resurrection, inspired by his experiences of surviving the bombing of the city during World War II and witnessing the devastation, rebuild and rebirth of Coventry as the City of Peace.

And for George, who used to lecture at the university when it was known as Lanchester Polytechnic, the statue, which will feature three shapes to represent the Three Spires of Coventry, represents new beginnings.

 

He said: “The sculpture is about new life, new possibilities and new beginnings. 

“It takes inspiration from a story about a strange group of 60-foot criss-crossing trees I painted in Wales. I asked a farmer about the trees and was told a tree had fallen 90 years ago. It was buried, then new trees started to spring from the dead tree and grew much taller than the one that had fallen.  

“The story fits with what I believe in – in rebirth, that all things break up naturally in nature and out of that comes something new, growing sometimes stronger than before, like Coventry. 

 “I can remember walking over rubble near this site, studying near here and watching the new cathedral go up. I saw something beautiful come out of destruction here and hope my statue can do the same. 

 “I hope this is a fitting statue to symbolise the city and a growing university because for me the university is bringing life to the city.” 

Coventry University started the demolition process of the Alan Berry building in September and the sculpture and landscaped garden are expected to be unveiled in the summer of 2023. 

 

The work will complement the redevelopment of the university’s new Faculty of Arts and Humanities facilities, which is currently underway, and the Starley Gardens urban space, which opened last year.

Together these three developments will create an open green space that will stretch from Coventry Cathedral to Cox Street.

 

Coventry University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Latham, CBE, said: “The Alan Berry building has been a focal point for the university for six decades, and we wanted this site to continue to be a place where our students, staff and the wider community can come together to connect, reflect and build on our city’s rich heritage of innovation and peace.  

“George’s work is a symbol of the city of Coventry’s continued growth and evolution, and we hope this space will become a place where our students, staff and the people of Coventry become inspired to pursue their dreams, like George was.”  

 

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Donation Enhances Building Student Opportunities 

State-of-the-art Spray-Kit Donation Enhances Leeds College of Building Student Opportunities 

Leeds-based spray equipment supplier Spray Plant UK has donated state of the art airless spraying equipment worth over £3,500 to Leeds College of Building. The generous donation will support the next generation of painting and plastering professionals.

The leading specialist of spraying equipment has teamed up with the college to enhance the existing painting and plastering curriculum and equip students with the latest technology and techniques being used in the industry.

Ben Smith, General Manager at Spray Plant UK said:

“As the skills gap widens across the painting and decorating industry, we know the need to train the next generation of sprayers is greater than ever. There is a shortage of skilled tradespeople across the board and painting and decorating courses are currently undersubscribed.

“By providing an opportunity to add new techniques and skills to the syllabus at Leeds College of Building we hope this will entice new students and widen the talent pool to take advantage of the job opportunities available across the industry.”

Mark Howroyd, Curriculum Manager for Painting & Decorating and Plastering at Leeds College of Building, added:

“Spraying is an emerging skill at the forefront of the painting and plastering industry. It’s already hugely popular in America and we are seeing the trend take off over here in the UK. Through this donation, students will be able to gain access to new technology they’ve previously never used and become fully equipped with specialist skills to bridge the gap between education and the workplace.

“Support from industry is essential, and this fantastic donation by Spray Plant UK shows how we can work together as education providers and employers to ensure the best outcome for our students and their future career in the industry.”

The gifting of the equipment is just the start of a longer-term relationship between Leeds College of Building and the West Yorkshire company. Spray Plant UK will be providing ongoing tailored training sessions to tutors, students, and apprentices to understand the technical areas of the airless technology and demonstrating the specialist application techniques.

Leeds College of Building study programme students recently attended the Spray Plant UK open day to celebrate the opening of new facilities and benefit from live demos and site tours.

 

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Walsall College Improvement Project

Walsall College has unveiled new plans for the expansion of its specialist campus for building trade courses.

The improvement project will see a three-floor extension built at the Green Lane Campus off the A34 in Birchills to create more space for construction workshop facilities for students and employers and cater for expected current changes too.

Additional space will be created in the gas and plumbing, carpentry and electrical workshops and classrooms as well as more communal space, new reception areas and a new canteen at the site at the campus in Long Acre Street.

The scheme will see the existing car park entrance in Long Acre Street moved 46 ft towards Green Lane.

Construction work will start in December at the campus situated between Stafford Street and Green Lane and is scheduled to be completed in autumn next year.

The Bell Decorating Academy for painting and decorating courses will remain part of campus operations.

Walsall College principal and chief executive Jatinder Sharma said: “We are pleased to have received planning approval to enhance our training facilities for a range of construction trades.

“It is hugely important for students to develop skills specific to their chosen trade in a modern working environment. With the help of our employer partners, we will also go further with the on-site demonstrations, company-set projects, industry showcases and careers talks that full and part-time students and apprentices are involved in so they are well-prepared for the existing and future job market.”

 

Organisations recently working with the college include Taylor Wimpey, Keepmoat Homes and Worcester Bosch.

The college said that the works will not involve an increase in the number of staff and students using the premises, and that the building was being extended to improve the environment and working spaces for future students.

The campus, formerly occupied by do-it-yourself chain Great Mills, was taken over by the college 19 years ago with the first phase focussed on painting, decorating, interior design and sign writing.

Source: Express & Star

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School Vanity Project that Never Happened

Council accused of ‘institutional blindness’ over Sandal Magna school ‘vanity project’ failings which cost taxpayers millions

Wakefield Council has been accused of “institutional blindness” over primary school construction failings which cost the taxpayer millions of pounds and left pupils without classrooms.

A Tory councillor launched a scathing attack on Labour opponents as he demanded answers over years of delays and the spiralling costs of building work at Sandal Magna Community Academy.

Roof leaks have repeatedly forced pupils out of the classroom, despite the school only being built in 2010.

Attempts to fix it have been constantly hit by setbacks.

oun Tony Hames, Deputy Conservative Group Leader, proposed a motion at a full council meeting on Wednesday calling for the appointment of a cross-party committee to carry out an internal inquiry.

An independent inquiry, completed last year by Anthony Collins Solicitors, was critical of Wakefield Council and a number of the contractors involved with the building, saying there were lessons to be learnt.

In April this year, architects were ordered to pay the Council £1.3m in damages.

An adjudicator found that the architects that designed the Belle Vue Road building were largely responsible for the issues.

Coun Hames told the meeting: “This was an extraordinary building project. A £4m school that should have taken 18 months to build, took 17 years.  I suppose some of the kids that expected to go to that school are parents now. I suppose some of the kids that expected to go to that school are parents now. The architect received a national award for the design, yet this council, in 2020, were seriously considering demolishing this school and starting again, at a cost of £5m, or there abouts. The school could not be handed over properly to the Academy Trust in 2020, and the council continued to be responsible for remediation, incurring £470,000 in penalties in the process for delays in decision making.”

 

Wakefield Council Leader Denise Jeffery said calls by the Tory Group for a cross-party inquiry into Sandal Magna Community Academy were “inaccurate and misconceived.” “The architect received a national award for the design, yet this council, in 2020, were seriously considering demolishing this school and starting again, at a cost of £5m, or there abouts. “The school could not be handed over properly to the Academy Trust in 2020, and the council continued to be responsible for remediation, incurring £470,000 in penalties in the process for delays in decision making.”

Coun Hames’ motion called for a new inquiry covering the period 2005-2022, to take evidence from officers involved with the process and to make recommendations to Council.

He continued: “Anthony Collins, in his report, emphasises the seriousness of the council’s failings and the need to learn lessons from this construction project and improve the way it manages such issues in the future. This was a vanity project to produce an exemplar school building. I am not exaggerating when I say it is one of the most serious cases of institutional blindness of escalated costs in search of a vanity project that has ever happened. Not only on this council, but any council in the UK. Think about the overspend when you vote on this motion, and what it could have been spent on, and what you could do with it now in this economic climate.”

 

Coun Hames added: “This is not a partisan motion.  It is a motion to support the Leader’s promise of transparency, accountability and her commitment to deliver value-for-money services to the people of Wakefield.”

 

The motion was rejected after Labour members voted against it.

 

Council Leader Denise Jeffery said: “This motion is inaccurate and misconceived. The ruling group cannot support it and will not be supporting it. The important thing to remember is that the works done at Sandal Magna were about ensuring that the children and staff at the school had a good quality environment in which to learn and grow. The resolution in July 2021 did not just cover the findings of the external inquiry, but agreed an action plan. The action plan was implemented and the chief executive and corporate management team were charged with delivering that action plan and have monitored the progress since that action plan was agreed. We also took legal action against the architect and we have got quite a lot of money back into our coffers.

 

Coun Jeffery added: “Cabinet are reviewing the entire capital programme to ensure it remains deliverable and affordable. The Audit and Governance Committee are monitoring both the recent works and the action plan. My understanding is that a full report is scheduled to go to the audit committee in November. Scrutiny has also considered the works at the school. A cross-party committee is not necessary, nor is this motion. The Labour Group will not be supporting it.”

Source: Wakefield Express

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Architects Studio Anyo’s offsite panelised system specified for academy horticultural project

A new offsite panelised system designed by architects Studio Anyo’s has been specified for the construction of a new horticultural education project.

 

Part funded by a Sir Roger De Haan charity, the initiative will see a new all-weather classroom constructed at Folkestone Academy for Key Stage 3 pupils, who will use the facility to participate in weekly horticultural and environmental science lessons as part of their regular studies.

The building, specifically created to support the education of horticulture in an eco-friendly low impact design, will be constructed from timber and pre-fabricated off site in panelised sections to minimise disruption at the academy and increase the speed of the final build.

Designed to industrial agricultural warehouse standards with the capacity for classroom growing stations to provide hands-on experience for pupils, the building supports the three strands of the Academy’s Green Plan: carbon reduction, re-wilding and climate education.

Also featuring photovoltaic roof installations to enable the classroom to be self-powered as well as demonstrate climate reduction strategies, the project will be a critical element in Folkestone Academy becoming a flagship eco-school and leading on local educational initiatives.

Studio Anyo has created an ambitious, contemporary building that will also provide new opportunities for engagement with the local community as well as mental health and wellbeing groups.

During school holidays, it will serve as a base for horticulture themed holiday clubs for children from disadvantaged backgrounds – children who become more vulnerable during holiday periods will be targeted together with those who are least likely to have access to outdoor space when at home.

 

CEO of Studio Anyo, James Walsh, who has overseen the design and development of the new classroom, said: “We are delighted to be working on this unique project, which sees the benefits that offsite and MMC can bring to education buildings. It shows how we can keep our carbon footprint as small as possible and work with subcontractors to deliver advanced construction projects.

“As architects, we always want to see the creation of ground-breaking developments that will leave a long-lasting legacy. This project will undoubtedly have a big impact and contribute to a positive change for Folkestone Academy.”

 

Pupils in Key Stage 4 and 5 will also access accredited qualifications in a range of horticultural disciplines in partnership with local agri-businesses and college partners, the EKC group.

 

Turner Schools CEO, Seamus Murphy, who commissioned the project to bring environmental science and horticulture to life in Folkestone, said: “During lockdown I had time to reflect on the challenges facing our pupils in the 21st century and identified a significant gap in their learning- having a practical understanding of the environment around them. Hence the commission from Studio Anyo to design a 21st century flexible and sustainable learning space for our pupils.”

 

Steve Shaw, head of school at Folkestone Academy, added: “The new building will prove hugely beneficial to our plans to offer a great range of practical outdoor learning for our pupils. We also see this becoming a flagship building for promoting environmental issues and highlighting careers and progression opportunities in the horticulture and environmental science industries.”

 

Studio Anyo merged with Create Architecture in 2021 to form a multi discipline practice encompassing interior design, modular construction and bespoke building products.

More at www.studioanyo.com

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