BAM has been appointed through the Department for Education’s high value framework to redevelop Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley, in Wigan, Greater Manchester.
The £24m contract will see BAM create a three-storey teaching block, to be handed over in September 2023. It will be Net Zero Carbon in Operation.
BAM is utilising its in house expertise, taking on architecture, M&E, sustainability and fixtures and fittings responsibility thanks to its integrated capabilities from BAM Design, while Hydrock is providing fire and acoustics, Nexus delivers ICT, and Dally Henderson Landscape.
The second phase involves the demolition of the majority of the existing school and construction of new sports pitches. This part of the project is due to be ready for spring 2024.
The project would increase the capacity of the school from 1,275 students to 1,350.
Construction issues include BAM creating a new overlay on an existing campus while it remains live, retaining three existing buildings, placing emphasis on intelligent sequencing. The scheme builds on the DfE’s new approach to sustainability, further developing innovation and methods from the initial pathfinder projects. The school will in part be constructed over Hindsford Brook culvert. Enabling works include diverting a main sewer running across the site and posing a critical constraint.
Restricted access means BAM will develop carefully co-ordinated traffic access and logistics plans and it has already taken steps to reduce deliveries and thus carbon emissions by increasing storage solutions on site.
A major part of the works includes dealing with matters in the ground including contamination and Japanese knotweed, and new services and drainage are required. Trees will also be protected.
Regional Director for BAM Construction in the North West, Ian Fleming, said:
“We have a very strong track record in the education sector across the UK and here in the North West, where we have delivered education facilities serving some 7,000 students over the past five years alone [see table below].
“Our ability to create net zero schools and use modern techniques such as our suite of digital construction methods and off-site manufacture and assembly allows us to reduce risks to our people and speed up delivery for the school.
“I’m looking forward to seeing us make excellent progress and to working with our friends and partners at the school and drawing out some benefits for the community around us.”
Fred Longworth is one of four Wigan schools earmarked for redevelopment under the DfE’s £1bn School Rebuilding Programme.
