Nature of project:
The project saw the delivery of a two-storey classroom block and single storey activities hall, with the classroom block housing facilities for science, food technology and general teaching spaces. Works also included the remodelling of the existing school building’s dining hall and art classrooms. Delivery of the scheme allows the school to accommodate an additional 100 pupils.

Methods of Construction:

• Piled foundations.
• Steel frame.
• Beam and block ground floor deck and a first-floor rib deck concrete slab..
• SFS infill.

Challenges:
We presented options to the school regarding construction access given the project’s location at the very rear of the school site. Undertaking liaison with our supply chain and a swept path analysis of the route, we were able to minimise lost car parking spaces, and keep construction work and school access well segregated and safe through use of a full-time banksman, timed deliveries and careful programming of disruptive works and large deliveries.

The working space around the building was extremely limited, with occupied buildings to the North and East sides and a protected woodland and ecology area to the South. To manage this, we;

• Worked with the school to negotiate an additional access to the working area. This was originally intended for use outside school hours, but with the use of a Banksman we were also able to make use of the route within lesson times. We liaised with the school’s Site Manager on a daily basis to manage the movement of operatives and materials.
• Reduced the size of the site compound required by utilising a house on the school site for our offices and welfare facilities. This also eliminated the need to run services up to the compound.

The site was located near to an RAF base. We therefore liaised with the Civil Aviation Authority regarding the use of the crane for the installation of the main structural frame.

There was a 2.5 metre difference in ground levels from one end of the building to the other. The building ultimately comprised single and two storey elements, but the roof is the same level. To manage the difference in site levels, we;

• Positioned the crane on the high point at the back of the site.
• Carefully sequenced the build to run ‘back to front’, ensuring that the section furthest from the crane was completed first.

The project also included the internal remodelling of an art classroom within the existing school building. To manage delivery of the works within the live areas, we scheduled the works for the school summer holiday to eliminate any risk or disruption to school staff and students.

Communication:
Our Site Manager liaised with the school’s Site Manager on a daily basis regarding planned works and the school’s operational requirements, ensuring that disruption caused by our activities was minimised.

Our project team made monthly progress reports to the client team throughout the majority of the scheme. These were sent at fortnightly intervals as the project neared completion.

We issued newsletters to local residents detailing planned works and deliveries which might affect them, as well as providing our project team’s contact details for any questions or concerns.

Environmental:
Protected Roman Snails were discovered in a woodland area directly to the South of the site. We;

• Liaised with the Suffolk County Council Ecologist to regarding required protection measures.
• Installed a snail fence to keep the snails out of our working area.
• Included a Toolbox Talk regarding Roman Snail protection at every site induction to ensure that all operatives were aware of the measures in place and their importance.
• Gained approvals to work for the installation of new services, which ran through the snail habitat. These works were programmed around snail hibernation periods.

Waste management:

• 98% of site waste was recycled.
• 8.1 tonnes of wood was collected by the Community Wood Recycling Scheme, saving it from the waste stream and delivering valuable training and apprenticeship opportunities for local people. In 2022, 62 tonnes of timber was collected from our sites, saving 30 tonnes of CO2 and training 1 person.

Social Value:
Our Site Manager organised and led a Year 10 careers assembly, including a presentation regarding careers in construction.

Ceremonies were held for ground-breaking and completion, as well as the burial of a time capsule. These were attended by school staff and pupils, as well as key members of the client team and a local MP.

Testimonial:

Staff were courteous. I was particularly impressed with Phil (Site Manager) and Graeme (Contracts Manager); they were both extremely helpful… I would recommend Barnes without reservation”
Jon Winn, Principal, Breckland School.