Member Article

Morgan Sindall Construction completes Leeds school as city’s demand for places increa

Morgan Sindall Construction has delivered a £5m two-storey teaching block at Horsforth School in Leeds, helping to address an increasing demand for places in the area.

Accommodating 365 new students, the completed expansion reflects an urgent need for extra places in response to ongoing housebuilding in the LS18 postcode.

To celebrate, a ribbon-cutting event was held to mark the completion of the project inside the new build, attended by representatives from Morgan Sindall Construction, Horsforth School, Pagabo and Leeds City Council.

The school, which is popular and oversubscribed, will now be able to offer spaces for 65 sixth formers, taking the school’s capacity to 1,765 and enabling the creation of a further 20 full-time jobs.

The 1,658 sq m building includes computer rooms, science labs, a library and classrooms, as well as a new school entrance on the south of the site together with new sport facilities and 20 parking spaces. Built on the previously existing tennis courts, four new courts have also been built to replace them.

As a part of the project, procured through Pagabo’s Medium Works Framework, Morgan Sindall Construction also delivered a social value plan that saw it liaise with local organisations to deliver targeted programmes that address the city’s key educational, employment and social requirements.

Joining forces with Leeds City Council, consultant partners and Leeds further education providers, Morgan Sindall Construction worked to raise aspirations and professional career attainment among local care leavers with work placements in management roles and career coaching.

Ensuring the students remain at the heart of the works, sessions were held at Horsforth School and other local education institutions in order to demonstrate the many new rewarding career paths within construction.

During the installation of the steel frame back in October, students from Horsforth School were invited to take part in a steel sighing ceremony, and observe the progression of their new teaching block.

Nick Theos, Morgan Sindall Construction’s project manager for the scheme said: “We’re excited to announce the completion of the Horsforth extension that will benefit students for generations to come. With all education projects, significant efforts are made to bring the school and local community together, forming a well-rounded plan to help students reach their potential.

“To continue supporting the local area, local contractors and suppliers were used where possible, and employment opportunities were provided for young apprentices through the supply chain, including a student from Leeds College of Building who was on-site once a week gaining valuable work experience.

“Working with the school and wider community every step of the way has been a very positive journey. We’re thrilled to deliver the completion and look forward to seeing the full potential of the facility for years to come.”

Dr Paul Bell, headteacher at Horsforth School said: “We’re delighted to see the finished product and even more excited to start utilising it. The students have been involved with the expansion right the way through, from sessions with project managers to steel signing and much more.

“The 365 additional school places this extension will accommodate are going to make a significant impact on the local community, and we’re couldn’t be happier to be a part of it. We look forward to inviting new and existing students to the facility and nurturing their talents, whatever they may be.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Robson .