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Portakabin Completes Installation in just 19 Days

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Portakabin completes installation in just 19 days for a new state-of-the-art, 200-place special educational needs school in Leeds.

 

Portakabin, the UK’s market leader in modular construction, successfully installed a 70-module complex at the Cross Green Road site in Leeds earlier this year, with installation complete in under three weeks.

Following a successful bid to the Department for Education in 2019, Leeds City Council announced Co-op Academies Trust as the successful sponsor of the special educational needs free school. The DfE selected modular specialist, Portakabin, to deliver this project.

The school opened in temporary accommodation at another Co-op Academy Trust site, on time and welcomed 56 children in September 2022. The new building will welcome the second cohort of students, an additional 86 children in September 2024. Full capacity of 200 is expected to be reached the following year.

Portakabin precision-engineered the modules, that were designed specifically for Co-op Academies Trust project, at its manufacturing facility in York and transported them less than 35 miles away to the site in Leeds. Known as ‘Co-op Academy Brierley’, the new SEND school will host 200 students from the ages of 4-16 in Leeds. The school is set to have a primary and secondary provision and will become an essential part of the local community in East Leeds.

Constructed off site using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the school was installed quickly and safely despite having to manage around periods of high wind, with all custom-built modules on-site in less than three weeks.

James Pearson, Divisional MD at Portakabin said:

“Co-op Academy Brierley is one of the projects awarded to us on the DfE’s MMC framework. Despite the inclement weather, we were able to successfully deliver and install 70 modules safely in just 19 days, maintaining the agreed contract programme.

Particular attention has been paid to preserving existing trees on site, despite the need for extensive sculpting of levels on the site, to achieve the gradients required for compliant access.

It’s a great pleasure to celebrate the first milestone in this project, which will become an important part of the local community.”

Alongside over 27 classrooms and dedicated teaching space, the completed school will boast extensive minibus drop-off facilities, approximately 130 car parking spaces for staff and visitors, an immersive technology room, therapy, and sensory rooms.

After starting on site in January, installation was completed on 18 February, with the project set to be handed over before the start of the new school year in September 2024.

Tim Leach, Contract Manager at Portakabin alongside Sarah Harridge, Headteacher at Co-op Academy Brierley

Sarah Harridge, Headteacher said:

“The pace that our new school was built was nothing short of spectacular, this new school will give children with special needs in Leeds a state of the art, custom built provision with their needs at the heart of every decision made in the build process.”

Vicki England, Co-op Academy Project Manager said:

“This project has been very smooth and has remained on budget throughout which is of course very important when we’re working with Department for Education budgets, the school looks fantastic so far and we look forward to welcoming all 142 children to their new facility in September.”

The planned opening date for Co-op Academy Brierley is September 2024.

 

CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE PORTAKABIN WEBSITE

 

 

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Use shutdown periods to treat heating systems, advises Sentinel Commercial

Water treatment specialist, Sentinel Commercial, is urging building maintenance engineers in the education sector to take advantage of planned shutdowns over the holidays to review water quality in boiler plants and implement any necessary chemical treatments, such as system cleaning and inhibitor dosing. These procedures, which can take several days or more to complete depending on the size and complexity of a system, are vital to the health of boilers and heating systems as a whole; those which do not receive adequate water treatment are likely to suffer from excess energy consumption, poor heat transfer, premature repairs and parts replacements, and breakdowns.

“Often, insufficient time is allocated for proper water treatment, and this can leave commercial heating systems vulnerable to a range of very serious and costly problems, including complete boiler failure and unexpected downtime. Shutdown periods represent the ideal opportunity for engineers to undertake programmes of best practice water treatment, thereby ensuring maximum protection and energy efficiency of those heating systems,” explained Chris Shelton, Sales Director of Sentinel Commercial.

Best practice water treatment, which comprises system cleaning, protection and maintenance, is able to deliver lifetime protection to boilers and heating system components through the prevention of corrosion – a phenomena which is otherwise inevitable. Limescale build-up (for systems located in hard water areas) can also be avoided. The benefits of best practice water treatment include optimal energy savings, heat transfer, and system longevity and performance, and meeting boiler warranty terms and conditions. Best practice water treatment is essential for both new and existing heating systems.

“Allocating adequate time for best practice water treatment is especially important when replacing boilers – works which are often planned during summer holidays – as the cleaning process to remove corrosion sludge, debris and other harmful foulants from older commercial heating systems can sometimes take a week or more. If it’s not undertaken correctly and contaminants remain in the circulating water, system performance, efficiency and reliability will remain poor. What’s more, the effectiveness of any subsequently dosed inhibitor will be compromised,” he said.

“On the other hand, the early application of a slower acting cleaner will facilitate a faster boiler replacement programme, ensuring that the existing system is cleaner and thus easier to work with.”

Water treatment shouldn’t just be limited to boiler replacements, however. Mr. Shelton advocates periodic assessment of system water quality using kits such as Sentinel SystemCheck to ensure adequate inhibitor concentration and cleanliness of system water. He says such checks, which are quick to carry out, not only evaluate the health and ongoing protection of a heating system but also help to identify any necessary maintenance and allow it to be undertaken in a convenient, controlled manner.

“Planned preventative maintenance is extremely important in the commercial and education sectors, helping to limit downtime and maintaining normal building operation. By regularly checking system water, engineers can catch potential problems early and take the time to consult water treatment specialists on the best courses of action – which could be carried out during planned shutdowns. Ultimately, this approach helps to achieve lifetime system protection and optimal energy savings,” he concluded.

For more information please visit www.sentinelprotects.com.
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Vortice expands its Commercial Fan offering

Burton upon Trent based ventilation specialist, Vortice, has expanded its commercial fan offering in the UK in response to customer demand. The commercial collection includes extract fans incorporating constant pressure control, heat recovery units with counter crossflow plate heat exchangers and thermal wheel.

These additions to the range extend the flexibility that Vortice can offer to projects like offices, schools, care homes and shopping centres.

Sales Manager Paul Gunner said “Vortice has traditionally offered a select range of commercial products to the UK market, although the company has utilised a much broader offering throughout mainland Europe and Latin America. Over the last twelve months we have seen increased demand in the UK for more complex applications and have therefore extended the range we offer here.”

As most commercial applications require a bespoke response, customers are recommended to discuss their project directly with the Vortice technical department who can help and guide them as to the most appropriate solutions.

For more information please visit http://www.vortice.ltd.uk.
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We must build 2,000+ schools by 2020 to meet demand

More than 2,000 new schools must be built within the next four years to accommodate the rising number of primary and secondary pupils in England, according to Scape Group’s latest ‘School Places Challenge’ report.

The research has revealed that local authorities are expecting an additional 729,000 pupils in education by 2020 – a rise of 8.6% in primary school pupils and 12% in secondary school pupils in England alone. To tackle this increase, the equivalent of two new schools must be created each working day.

London, the South East and East of England are experiencing the highest growth with more than 375,000 additional primary and secondary pupils expected to be added to the registers in four years’ time.

Of the total 2,122 new schools needed, the equivalent of 12,209 primary classrooms and 12,078 secondary classrooms, London requires 507 new schools. The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham will see the biggest increase in pupil numbers, requiring a total of 28 new schools, followed by Lambeth, Newham and Greenwich, which need 21, 37 and 25 new schools built, respectively.

Outside of London, the Northern Powerhouse city of Manchester will see numbers rise to almost 19,000 extra primary and secondary pupils by 2020 – a 27% increase that will require the equivalent of 57 new schools. Rapid growth in the cities of Bristol, Peterborough, Milton Keynes, Leicester and Nottingham will also mean that new schools will become highly sought-after should the necessary amount not be built in time.

Mark Robinson, Scape Group Chief Executive comments: “As the growth of the primary school population gathers pace, the pressure on school places will soon transfer to the secondary population, requiring a new wave of advanced school building. The government’s preference for free schools has created uncertainty for local authorities, who are tasked with planning and building new schools, but will not be responsible for running them. Proposals for new grammar schools has further muddied the waters.”

Leaving the EU could have a profound effect on the UK population – we could see a short term surge in migration from Europe or a drop off in numbers if migrants are put off coming here. It is very difficult to predict what impact Brexit will ultimately have, putting even more pressure on local authorities who are planning how and where to prioritise school-building.

“In a post-Brexit economy, with all of the uncertainty this brings, the construction of new schools must be a top priority for government and local authorities must be given the tools and funding necessary to deliver extra places in time. Creative solutions including standardised design, classroom extensions and larger ‘super-schools’, as well as more effective use of land to deliver mixed-use developments, are all options we need to look at to deliver more new schools.”

Download the full report here.
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Building Transformation: School Urban Transformer Grants

This summer, we’re offering three Secondary or Upper schools the opportunity to take up one of our sensational School Urban Transformer Grants. In each week-long program in the summer holidays, Building Transformation will provide the tools, training and expert knowledge to transform your school environment with founding partner Reece Wood and his expert colleagues.

The program, for six enthusiastic students, will offer a fun, skill-building opportunity to engage with, develop and improve their school’s space, as well as offering the following skills:

  • Environmental evaluation
  • Developing a plan of action
  • Selecting and meeting deadlines
  • Performing risk assessments
  • Analysing and understanding safety checks and construction plans
  • Taking instructions from supervising experts
  • Working as a team to produce agreed results

All these skills and more will be developed by the staff of Building Transformation, at no cost to the participating schools. All safety equipment and materials will also be provided by Building Transformation.

“When I pick my own kids up from school, it’s obvious that the classes enjoy activities most in those well-maintained, well cared-for areas; I can see how the school environment has a direct affect on their engagement with it. Any external building fabric plays a big part in influencing the emotions and even behaviour of the building users: a school landscape should be positive, feel safe and reflect the school’s culture and values, as a space that inspires students and teachers and makes them proud.

“However, maintenance issues can be costly, and low on the list of concerns as more pressing items taking priority; problems are often allowed to build and impact the school’s environments, negatively influencing students’ feelings about their school over time. This can result in an imbalance between the core values of a school, and its physical appearance. The problem isn’t down to people not caring, but rather that both budgets and time are limited.

“Yet the simple solutions that make a real difference to the quality of a school environment shouldn’t be expensive or difficult to access. Algae, carbon, environmental pollution, chewing gum & graffiti, are all easily removed with the correct equipment and approach. This year we aim to give the know-how and control back to schools and students, to help create school environments of the future. The School Urban Transformer Grant is our way of making a difference in our own communities.

“We want to create a fun programme, that builds the students’ skills, values and education, plus uses their enthusiasm and energy to give something back to the school environment that has helped shape their future, at no expense to the school. And by developing and completing the process with the students, they’ll take ownership of their space, feeling more protective, and viewing it with a new set of eyes.

I’d love to hear your thoughts — please get in touch, and I can answer any questions you might have.”

What is the purpose behind the School Urban Transformer program?

“To work with three schools for one week each, to help them create a more inspiring, valued and more sustainable environment that they are proud of and is in line with their standards of performance; to breathe new life into the tired or challenging-to-manage school environment; and to give the knowhow, pride and ownership back to the students, and back to the school. We want students and schools to feel that the cleaned and restored environment is a closer reflection of their values, ethos and vision.

“The grant includes one week’s Urban Transformation program within your school, as well as one day’s initial planning and development three to four weeks prior, working with your chosen students and your school’s maintenance staff.”

Why is Building Transformation doing this?

“We’re constantly thinking how we canwhat make real difference, both to environments and people, by bringing to life the real purpose of our business with our skills and assets. Having been asked to provide solutions to schools over the past few years, having looked at the varying condition of school environments, listened to the issues around budgets and maintenance limitations, pressures, priorities and how all of this impacts on the school, we believe that we can give schools the knowhow and solutions they need to create an environment and space that fits with their ethos and vision for the future.

“It’s important to us to help create communities of people that take ownership and pride in their environment.”

Who is Building Transformation?

“We’re an international building façade maintenance and consultancy service, working with major industry and education institutions across the UK and abroad, with over 15 years’ expertise in design, environmental sustainability and building regeneration.”

What do the schools need to do?

“Complete the application form by 17th June. The chosen schools will need to select six Y12 students who have the enthusiasm and energy to take part in the program for a week during the summer holidays, and who will be eager to learn new skills and develop their CVs and UCAS applications while also protecting their school environment for the future.”

For more information please visit www.buildingtransformation.co.uk/schools, email schools@buildingtransformation.co.uk or phone 01234 964 019.
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Many schools are “dangerous, dilapidated, poorly built and wasteful”, says RIBA

RIBA have highlighted the urgent need for school refurbishment in a new report into the state of school buildings, entitled ‘Better Spaces for Learning.’ The report revealed:

  • 1 in 5 teachers have considered quitting because of the wretched condition of the school buildings they have to teach in
  • The Government’s Education Funding Agency’s new school building programme is too rigid and is leading to waste and poor value for tax payers
  • Over 90% of teachers believe well-built and designed schools improve educational outcomes and pupil behaviour
  • Over-engineered schools, with Government-specified equipment that only costly consultants know how to operate, is costing £150 million per year which could have been avoided if schools were designed better

A new report on the state of school buildings in the UK has been published by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Using the largest ever analysis of primary and secondary school buildings in the UK, a nation-wide poll of teachers, and extensive engagement with school buildings experts, RIBA’s Better Spaces for Learning report makes the case for an urgent review of the Government’s Education Funding Agency’s current school building programme.

The report emphasises the importance of well-designed school buildings on young people’s wellbeing, behaviour engagement and crucially, attainment.

RIBA has identified that good school design can reduce running and maintenance costs, in some cases by more than several times a teacher’s average salary a year; it could have prevented the English school estate from spending upwards of £150m annually on unnecessary operation and maintenance costs.

The new report is further insight into the Government’s own assertion that just 5% of the nearly 60,000 school buildings across the UK are performing as intended and operating efficiently.* The prevalence of damp, leaky classrooms and asbestos-ridden buildings in British schools means too many pupils and teachers are struggling to learn and teach in conditions damaging to their health and education.

Better Spaces for Learning reveals that the Government’s current programme of building new schools is inefficient – with a lack of flexibility to make the best possible use of resources, and little opportunity for school staff to input into the design of their own new buildings. RIBA believes that the Government programme must be improved to guarantee better outcomes for our public money.

RIBA President Jane Duncan said “This country is in the grip of the worst shortage of school places in living memory. Our report highlights the vital importance of school design and how it affects the general health and wellbeing of their users, our children and their teachers. As limited funding is available to deal with the growing problem, every penny spent on schools must deliver maximum value for money. Award winning well-designed, successful schools with happy pupils and productive staff like Burntwood School in London shouldn’t be the exception, they should be the standard.

“How can we expect our children to compete with the world’s best when too many of our school buildings are substandard? Educational improvements resulting from the current programme of school building are not reaching the basic standards that British taxpayers and our economy expects. We need to do better for all of our children and their hardworking teachers. We urge the Government to review its programme of building new schools.”

To read more about buildings and construction within the education sector, subscribe to our sister publication School Building Magazine. School Building magazine is aimed at the key named buyers and specifiers with Local Authorities, LEA’s, Universities, Architects and contractors responsible for the design, build and refurbishment of educational facilities.
Read the latest edition here.
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