Marketing Executive
A Sixth Form Two-Storey Building Block is underway
South Wolds Academy and Sixth Form is located in Keyworth, Nottingham. We were approached to help the school increase its footprint for Key Stage 4 students by building a modular two-storey sixth form block. From groundworks to second storey roof, with tarmac paths and plant borders for the landscaping, we’re supporting the school along with experienced partners to bring their vision to life.
Inside the block, provision will be needed for:
- six classrooms including an IT suite
- standard and disabled toilets
- two stairwells
- a common room
- ancillary spaces
Work began onsite this summer (2023) with topographical surveys, progressing through to the foundations that we are currently laying.
People often ask us how our larger project modular buildings are installed from start to finish. If you are keen to see what’s happened so far, here are just a few photos of the steps involved right at the very beginning of the project:
- After identifying a datum point and digging down to create a level excavation, work began on laying the piling mat. A datum point gives all construction workers and architects the ability to have the same reference point on site and on the drawings, making sure everyone works to the exact specifications. With that reference point, we created a level base of the foundations by digging down to the needed compliant measurement to make sure our sections (bays) will all sit level when the groundworks are done. The piling mat you can see is laid to be a reliable and stable surface as a working platform for machinery to move around the site while providing draining capabilities to reduce the chance of sitting rain water.
2. Here we have finished laying the piling mat – and taking in the view from the digger’s seat. This will make it easier for team members and equipment easily move around the site. The building in the background is the existing South Wolds Academy.
3. Marking out the piles for the foundations. The piles for South Wold Academy’s sixth form centre will be made from concrete and steel. When marking out, they must be evenly spaced in all directions so that the weight of the modular section on top is distributed evenly across the ground.
4. Foundational piling columns are installed. These steel columns (photo above) will help distribute the weight of the modular sixth form block.
5. Here we’re excavating for the ground beam and pile caps – close up look. A pile cap carries the weight of the buildings above, whereas a ground beam ties all the piles together.
6. Here we’re still excavating for the ground beam and pile caps, but we’ve zoomed out to see the full site. With the piling mat laid, it means our digger and others can operate safely on the school’s grounds.
7. We’ve started installing the steelwork and form work for the pile caps and ground beams. Steel has been used in constructing foundations for a very long time due its resistance and strength, making it perfect for coping with larger buildings and their weight. Here the steel will support the concrete.
8. Continuing the installation of the steelwork. It’s a lengthy process that requires accuracy and meticulous eye for detail to make sure that both load bearing and retaining areas of the foundations hold up for the full lifespan of the Key Stage 4 learning hub. Once the buildings are placed, however, none of this initial but so vital work will be visible.
30+ years working with schools
This large project at South Wolds Academy is similar to other works we have done during our 30+ years. By working hand in hand with our project’s partners, we all ensure that the whole process works as seamlessly possible. We look forward to seeing how this all turns out in the months to come.
