The Challenge:
Procured through the North West Construction Hub (NWCH), St Julie’s Catholic High School is a new build, steel frame, 4-storey, 3 block pavilion structure, connected by a glass walkway. Built in the grounds of the original school, which was demolished in phase 2, the school would cater for 1,110 students, providing teaching space, a performing arts theatre and a chapel.
The energy efficient school was constructed on a congested live site on the edge of a conservation area. Concerns regarding the access point in/out of site created delays in the planning stage of the project, resulting in an exceptionally tight programme which needed to be achieved to ensure delivery in time for the new school term.
The Solution:
Live school: The new school was to be constructed within 2 metres of the original. We worked closely with the senior management team to ensure safe delivery, achieving zero AIR.
Conservation area: Due to the sensitive nature of the build with political and ecological concerns, we worked with the school and Liverpool City Council to alleviate local residents’ concerns. Four open evenings were held to relay information about the project and dispel any misconceptions. With input from specialist advisory services, the team implemented environmentally sympathetic solutions and won over the support of the community.
Programme: To ensure the project schedule was achieved, the whole design process and parallel pre-construction planning, had to be undertaken within 2 months. This was achieved successfully through specialist-led, Lean Planning workshops. We presented the target dates, then collaboratively developed solutions to improve the programme. Further surveys, reports and enhancements were fast tracked during this period to reduce risks and provide cost certainty. This allowed the school to decant into their new building 4 weeks early (supported by a team of 12 Kier staff), giving staff time to set up and familiarise with new surroundings, in time for the start of the new term.
The Impact:
Social value generated on this project included:
• £353,145 social return on investment
• 26 apprenticeships
• 13 jobs created
• 96% local spend (exceeding Liverpool City Council’s target of 85%) including 86% of suppliers within Liverpool
• 6 work experience placements
• £500 raised for St Julie’s through the supply chain, allowing the team to complete sculptural works to the new chapel
• Sponsoring a team of young people to participate in the ‘Engineering Education Scheme’ (EES) - a six-month consultancy-led company project for 4-6, Year 12 students, studying science and/or maths
Environmental impact included:
• 125 trees planted and creation of a Peace Garden which included a further 15 olive trees
• 87.7% waste diverted from land fill
• Carbon reduction through engaging 86% of suppliers from within Liverpool
" This is a wonderful story of how your team has gone above and beyond your normal duty to serve a key member of the local community who in turn supports people in some of the most challenging times of their lives. To do this whilst delivering a time pressured project like St Julie’s is extremely commendable to say the least. A big thank you from me to all of you for your work on this. "Jabu Chowdhury Project Manager Liverpool City Council
View more projects
Every project we deliver is an opportunity for us to bring our unique thinking to solve problems, innovate and collaborate with our clients and beyond.
Berkeley Green & UTC South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS)
Rising from the ashes of a decommissioned former nuclear site, SGS Berkeley Green, a converted 1940’s engineering hall, and new University Technical College (UTC) are the first educational buildings to be completed on a new ground-breaking GREEN campus, within Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park.
Mersey Gateway Project
One of the largest infrastructure initiatives in the UK encompassing a new six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey along with 9km of local road upgrades. Construction was carried out by Merseylink Civil Contractors, a joint venture between Kier Infrastructure, Samsung and FCC.
M6 J16 to J19 smart motorway project
Cheshire’s first smart motorway from Crewe to Knutsford. Converting a 20 mile stretch of the M6 into an ‘all lane running’ smart motorway; creating much needed extra capacity and more reliable journey times. It will reduce delays and excessive congestion for the 120,000 (approx.) vehicles that use it each day.
St Julie’s Catholic High School
Building a new school for 1,100 students within the grounds of the original. Abiding by strict environmental regulations and generating a wealth of social value within the local community.
Astrea Academy Sheffield - Secondary School
Construction of a secondary school to create much-needed school places in north east Sheffield
Cheltenham Ladies College, Fitness Centre
The addition of high-class sport and leisure facilities for one of the UK’s most distinguished private schools has created flexible, multi-purpose spaces wrapped around the existing centre. Alongside a new sports hall, activity studios, squash courts and a gym, are additional changing rooms, a MUGA and new car park.
Astrea Academy Sheffield - Primary School
Restoring a listed local landmark to its former glory to create a brand-new school for North East Sheffield.
Reconnecting Cumbria on the A591
Clearing and repairing damaged sections of the A591 hit by storms in 2015/16, working with Cubby Construction on behalf of Highways England, operating in volatile conditions and completing the project three weeks early followed by a reopening ceremony performed by HRH Prince of Wales.
Stephen Perse Foundation
The design and construction of a new teaching block and first-class sports facilities.
Pall Mall, Liverpool
Kier was selected by Liverpool City Council to deliver a new mixed commercial quarter known as Pall Mall, in partnership with CTP.
St Mary’s RC Primary School, Malton
Constructing a new annexe as well as a reconfiguration of the existing school in order to ease pressures on pupil oversubscription.
Storyhouse
Developing Chester's largest and most ambitious ever creative project, working in a restricted city centre location, adapting the programme when a Roman building was discovered on site, restoring and revitalising a Grade II Listed building, creating new cultural spaces and receiving the Arts Council's highest ever score for a building.
Heron House
Refurbishment of a six-storey vibrant public building in Manchester City Centre, creating over £12.2m of social return on investment.
Liverpool, Adult Health and Social Care Transformation
Liverpool City Council's challenge involved delivering a multi-million programme of works, across five projects.
Dixons Sixth Form
Refurbishment and fit-out of a six-storey 19th-century mill building and coach house with a new build sports hall in Bradford for Dixons Academies Trust, maintaining the building’s heritage and ensuring it is suitable for teaching.
Chemistry of Health, University of Cambridge
Providing space for the study of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Aspect Court Refurbishment
£1m refurbishment of levels five and six of Sheffield Hallam University’s Aspect Court building to create space for degree apprenticeship students and an innovation hub
Fire safety delivery and resident liaison
Delivered fire stopping and compartmentalisation to 18 fully occupied tower blocks carrying out works on a strict weekly timetable to minimise disruption to residents.
The Springfield Sixth Form Centre, Dewsbury Learning Quarter
Construction of the Springfield Sixth Form Centre, beginning the development of the Dewsbury Learning Quarter for Kirklees College
The David Attenborough Building
Updating an icon, providing pride of place for Charles Darwin’s finds, creating a prominent spot for a fully-fledged Finback whale, and being test abseiled by Sir David Attenborough.
FA Parklife
As part of the Football Association’s master-plan to build new football facilities in 30 cities by 2020, Kier have successfully delivered four all-purpose football hubs using state of the art 3G artificial grass at key grass-root areas across Liverpool.
Alfred H Knight's Office and Analytical Laboratory
Alfred H Knight is a commodity analysis and mining support specialist who required our design and cost management services to build a new state-of-the-art head office and analytical laboratory.
Stowlawn Primary School
Procured through the Scape National Minor Works Framework, this scheme involved the construction of a new primary school provision at the existing Stowlawn Primary School in Bilston, Wolverhampton. Unique to this project was the building’s existing Passivhaus principals and bespoke brickwork façade.
Spring Vale Primary School
Procured through the Scape National Minor Works Framework, this extension and remodelling project has increased the School’s capacity whilst improving their Ofsted rating from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’.
University of Essex STEM Centre
Creating a state of the art teaching centre for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Waterside Student Residences
A joint venture with Kier Major Projects for the University of Northampton. The project marked the first time Kier had committed to a large-scale Light Gauge Steel (LGS) frame project and is the largest LGS project to date in the UK.
Sensor City
Creating a ‘Knowledge Quarter’ for Liverpool, a collaboration between the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, delivering a highly adaptable research environment and incubator space for start-ups and SMEs who are developing digital sensor technologies and applications.
Sainsbury Wellcome Centre
A unique, world-class, state of the art neuroscience research institute at University College London.
Slade Green Regeneration
The simultaneous extension and refurbishment of two neighbouring primary schools.
Yr Egin Media and Office Development
Bringing an iconic and sustainable development to the Carmarthen campus of the University of Wales, providing 40,000 sq. ft. of accommodation for for Welsh Media company S4C and the University's new media faculty and offices, and achieving a BREEAM Excellent certificate for sustainability.
Falmouth School Sports Pavilion
The design and construction of a sports pavilion, including FA compliant changing facilities, gym, office space and flexible recreation areas. In addition a first floor balcony was incorporated into the design which overlooks the sports pitches.
Cathedral School
Creating a two-form entry primary school within a Grade 1 listed building.
Harris Girls' Academy Bromley
The demolition, refurbishment and three-story new build of a local all-girls school located in South London.
Oakwood High School
New build secondary school developed under the Education Skills and Funding Agency's (ESFA) Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP), providing modern accommodation with increased pupil capacity and facilities for classrooms, in addition to a Learning Resource Centre which integrates with pupil breakout areas.
National Transport Design Centre
The UK – and Coventry as a city - is well-established as a leader in automotive, aerospace, rail and marine design. Coventry University’s National Transport Design Centre (NTDC) aims to boost design innovation in the transport sector and bridge the current shortfall in creative skills.
Materials Analysis Laboratory
New head office and analytical laboratory for metallurgical consultants.
Don Valley Academy
New build secondary school developed under the ESFA’s Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP), providing modern accommodation with increased pupil capacity for 1,200 pupils and 300 post-16 students.
Urenco Tails Manufacturing Facility
Kier worked as the main contractor to deliver a facility for processing ‘tails’, a by-product of the uranium enrichment process.
Crewe Lifestyle Centre
Creating a viable and affordable facility that brought all Crewe's lifestyle services - pool, gym, sports hall, library, specialist daycare and family service facilities - together under one roof, meeting a diverse range of user needs and building within a constrained town centre site.
Caol Joint Primary School Campus
Designing and constructing of a new joint campus school for The Highland Council to incorporate two neighbouring primary schools, Caol Primary School and St Columba's RC Primary School, together with a community facility.
Huntington Community Primary School
Blending traditional and innovative solutions to create a new-build, two-storey, 420-place primary school and 26-place nursery in Chester.
The Grove School
Undertaking a major refurbishment of a former Council building, originally a late Edwardian school, into a new school in Haringey, for 104 students aged 5–19 who have a primary diagnosis of autism.
Tiger Way
Kier Design and Business Services working in partnership with the London Borough of Hackney to deliver mixed-use developments and education schemes to create revenue for further local investment.
Aureus Secondary School
Delivering a new secondary school on the Great Western Park Development in Didcot, ensuring it was completed in time for the start of the new school year, creating extensive outdoor sports facilities as well as a building for 1,200 students and working alongside contractors delivering housing projects.
Sheffield Hallam University Robert Winston Annexe
£1.4m installation of a modular, two-storey extension onto Sheffield Hallam University’s Robert Winston Building, located on SHU’s Collegiate Campus.
Oldham Town Hall
Restoring an iconic building, taking part in feasibility studies to decide the best use of the building, working on the project to turn it into a seven-screen cinema with restaurants, coffee shop and retail units, winning multiple industry awards and creating something of huge importance to local people.
The Chase SEN
Converting and regenerating a disused engineering building at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College to create striking new modern facilities for disabled students.
Alperton Community School
The build of a new school and demolition works of the old premises, increasing capacity from 750 to 1700 pupils.
Degree Apprenticeship Centre
Revolutionary in its design, the first Degree Apprenticeship Centre on the Warwick University Campus marks a new stage in the University’s teaching programme. The new three-storey 2,400m² innovative development centre provides a bridge from education to industry.
Bartholomew School
Enhancing the estate of an already ‘outstanding’ Ofsted school to provide up-to-date facilities, fit for 21st-century learning.
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
Building a brand new 8 form of entry school situated in Thamesmead in South East London. The new school holds 1,200 pupils and includes teaching spaces, science laboratories, ICT suites, a dance studio, art and music rooms plus a large four court sports hall and hard court play area.
The Institute for Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies (IMPACT)
New state-of-the-art research centre, the Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies (IMPACT) building, situated on the Swansea University Bay Campus provides future proof, highly specialised laboratories for fundamental and applied research and delivers a high impact, transformative research environment for industry and academia to collaborate in advanced engineering and materials.
Hawthorne Primary and Nursery School
A modern primary school in Bestwood, Nottinghamshire, for an expanding local community that involved pupils throughout the build delivered through the Scape Minor Works Framework by Kier and Arc Partnership
Swansea IQ and YFforwm Development (SA1)
Delivering £32m first phase of new Swansea Waterfront Innovation Quarter to provide a 21st-century state of the art education facility to attract students from all over the world to the University of Wales Trinity St David.
Mersey Care ‘Rowan View’ Medium Secure Unit
Providing class-leading medium secure mental health facilities in Liverpool, this 123 bed mental illness and learning disabilities medium secure facility was procured through P21+. It is split across eight wards with supporting accommodation, on the Maghull Health Park.
Atherleigh Park Mental Health Unit
Atherleigh Park has set the standard for the design of adult inpatient mental health accommodation, providing a healthy, therapeutic environment for residents that promotes their physical and mental wellbeing.
Springhead Park Primary School
Springhead Park Primary School is a brand new modular two-form of entry with additional 26 nursery spaces in Ebbsfleet, Kent. The new schools holds 420 pupils ages from 3 – 11. The building includes teaching space, food tech facilities, science laboratories, multi-use agency space and hard court play area.
Northstowe Secondary College
Delivering a 600 place Secondary School with 12 form of entry core facilities, as well as a 110 place SEN School and Energy Centre for Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMAT) on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council.
Alness Academy – virtual transition model
With Covid-19 restrictions preventing in person site visits, our virtual transition model supports pupils and teachers to familiarise themselves with their new building and access useful information to support their transition and adjustment to the new school environment.
Leaving a lasting legacy: Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School
Construction of a new £30m building for Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School, providing 1,200 school places and ensuring social value was delivered throughout the project.
Iffley Academy
New-build construction of a community Special Academy judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2019, for pupils up to the age of 18 with complex special educational needs and disabilities. The new academy replaces unfit for purpose old buildings, adding animal care, horticulture and construction facilities, a mock flat and pupil-run café.
Whitelands Academy, Kingsmere
A brand new 600 pupil secondary academy school for years 7-11, built to support Kingsmere, a new housing development in south-west Bicester. Constructed to BREEAM principles, the academy features 26-classrooms, SEN provision, a four-court sports hall built and fitted to Sport England standard, external social spaces and multi-use games areas.
Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School
Design and construction of two replacement buildings as part of a 1,100 pupil school in Canterbury, Kent, providing 7,500m² of teaching space across a range of traditional classrooms and learning areas with specialist areas for art, science and technology. The second phase, currently underway, includes asbestos clearance, demolition of the existing school buildings, construction of a car park and MUGA area.
Spa School, Camberwell
Spa School Camberwell is a co-educational special school for students aged 5 to 16 with autism. Construction works included the structural alteration, internal remodelling and fit out of a three storey Victorian building with a three storey new build extension. It has the capacity for 120 students and 80 staff.
Cattle Market Road, Bristol
Saving carbon, fuel and costs through the use of Solar Hybrid Towers at Cattle Market Road site in Bristol
Ponteland School & Leisure Centre
Ponteland School & Leisure Centre features a 420-place primary school and a 1,600-place secondary school, a state-of-the-art leisure centre with swimming pools, aqua play, spa, gym, climbing walls, dance studios, soft play zone, a 3G sports pitch, bar, cafés, library and a new community fire station.
Ebbsfleet Green Primary School
The design and construction of a new modular build 2FE primary school within Ebbsfleet Garden City, Kent, catering for students ranging from nursery to year six. The school also includes specialist resources for up to 15 pupils with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder plus a 26-place nursery.
The Heights Primary School, Reading
Constructing a new primary school to address the shortage of pupil places in Reading, Berkshire.
Netherthird Primary School
We have been appointed by East Ayrshire Council to deliver the £8.5m new build Netherthird Primary School in Cumnock. The new school will accommodate 278 pupils in nine classrooms with four supported learning spaces and a new outdoor learning zone and play area.
First Light Pavilion
Award winning £20.5m First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank delivered for the University of Manchester. The brand-new discovery centre, which is the 6th largest reinforced concrete dome in Europe, creates a first-class attraction demonstrating Jodrell Bank’s world-leading place in the history of astronomy.
Addington Valley Academy
Design and construction of an all through SEND school, funded by the Department for Education and managed by Orchard Hill College Academy Trust. The school specialises in autism and complex needs for up to 150 pupils aged 2–19 and offers a wide variety of special learning environments including sensory/calm spaces and emotional literacy support rooms.
Shakespeare North Playhouse
A truly unique, award-winning project, Shakespeare North is a replica new build theatre within a modern cultural and educational building. It will celebrate the connections between Knowsley, Shakespeare and Elizabethan theatre, completing the UK’s Shakespearean triangle – London – Stratford-upon-Avon – Prescot. The attraction, in the heart of Prescot, forms a key part of the regeneration of the town centre.
Creative Centre
A state-of-the-art, cross-disciplinary home for York St John University’s music and computer science departments, alongside world class facilities for the performing arts, creative writing and media production.
Northstowe Education Campus
The design and construction of the first phase of the Northstowe Education Campus comprising of new facilities including a 4FE secondary school plus, a 110 place SEND School and Energy Centre in Cambridgeshire.
Barton Manor School
Built on the site of a former school in Canterbury the new Barton Manor School provides spaces for 1050 students and forms part of the Barton Court Academy Trust. It comprises a split level two- and three-storey c. 7230m2 teaching block and a smaller two storey 1230m2 sports block.