
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)
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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.
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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.
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Construction of a secondary school to create much-needed school places in north east Sheffield
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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.
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The design and construction of a new teaching block and first-class sports facilities.
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Liverpool, Adult Health and Social Care Transformation
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Dixons Sixth Form
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Chemistry of Health, University of Cambridge
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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
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Sensor City
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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.
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Creating a two-form entry primary school within a Grade 1 listed building.
Harris Girls' Academy Bromley
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Tiger Way
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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.
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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
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Whitelands Academy, Kingsmere
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Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School
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Ebbsfleet Green Primary School
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The Heights Primary School, Reading
Constructing a new primary school to address the shortage of pupil places in Reading, Berkshire.
Netherthird Primary School
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First Light Pavilion
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