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St Augustine’s School, Scarborough- SEN Block

Client: St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Academy Trust
Location: St Augustine’s Catholic School, Scarborough
Contract Value: £350,000
Delivery Period: 20 weeks
Completion Date: September 2021

 

Project Overview

Acting on behalf of the St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Academy Trust, the Crown Commercial Service sought to deliver a high-quality, purpose-built modular facility at St Augustine’s Catholic School in Scarborough. The primary objective was to provide additional teaching and support accommodation specifically designed to meet the needs of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The modular build was procured under the Crown Commercial Service’s RM6014 Framework, with a contract value of £350,000. The fast-tracked programme required completion within 20 weeks, with a handover scheduled for September 2021 to ensure the facility was operational for the new academic year.

The project included full turnkey delivery, with the supplier assuming responsibility for design, planning applications, building control, groundworks, service connections, and compliance with CDM 2015 regulations. As Principal Contractor and Principal Designer, the appointed supplier also undertook topographical and fire access surveys as part of the pre-construction phase.

Building Layout and Size

The overall internal area of the building was designed to accommodate up to 230m² of functional space. This was divided into two categories:

  • Essential space (170m²):
    • One large Study Room (40m²)
    • One Classroom (35m²)
    • Two Small Teaching Rooms (15m² each)
    • A multi-use Teaching/Meeting Room (20m²)
    • One Office (15m²)
    • Toilet facilities (10m²)
    • Plant/IT/Storage area (20m²)
  • Desirable space (60m²), budget permitting:
    • Staff/Resources Room (20m²)
    • Two additional Small Teaching Rooms (15m² each)
    • Second Office (10m²)

This layout was specifically tailored to suit a modern SEN learning environment, providing flexible learning spaces, quiet rooms, and sufficient staff and support areas.

Design and Specification

The building was designed in accordance with Building Bulletin 104 (BB104): Area guidelines for SEND and alternative provision, ensuring suitability for a range of pupil needs and learning styles. The specification followed the requirements set out under RM6014 Framework Section 11.1.3, delivering a solution that complied with Department for Education guidelines.

The interior and exterior finishes were selected with input from the client to create a vibrant, welcoming environment that reflected the school’s ethos while remaining within budget. Though a fixed colour palette was not specified, the goal was to deliver an uplifting aesthetic that would enhance the user experience for both students and staff.

Additional design features included:

  • DDA-compliant electrical fittings, with sockets installed at accessible heights throughout.
  • Air conditioning systems installed in all classrooms, either individually controlled or centrally managed, to ensure comfort and climate control for students with sensory needs.
  • While the client provided all loose internal and external furniture, the modular supplier ensured all infrastructure was appropriately positioned and finished to facilitate this.

Conclusion

This project successfully delivered a fit-for-purpose modular SEN facility under a tight programme and fixed budget. Through careful planning, clear communication, and adherence to both regulatory and educational standards, the new building provided St Augustine’s Catholic School with a high-quality learning environment tailored to support students with special educational needs.

Working closely with estates and clinical leads, Actiform supported the design development for the transformation of our clinical emergency care services for the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. This involved a complete design and build modular construction to complement the creation of a state-of-the-art emergency care service.

Actiform helped us to embrace the opportunities presented by a new modular build clinical space with appropriate technology to create and support a new model of service that responds to changing clinical needs, meets the trust’s corporate objectives, and complies with sector building performance targets that we will need to meet.

The Actiform team mapped out the route to move away from the traditional siloed traditional structures, facilitating the opportunity to adopt a more flexible and adaptable approach to support services that will be complimented by technology, and support our digital clinical strategy development.

The Actiform project team worked ‘hand in hand’ with their design team to create a future focused build that rethinks the way a NHS trust delivers modular construction within a conventional ageing and varied built environment, and that is integrated into the core operation of the hospital. The completed build environment was an integral part of the overall strategy for the new emergency care services.

Pasqualino Risi, Associate director of Estates and Facilities, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

The whole team at Actiform provide an outstanding level of customer service. Their knowledge of modular building and taking our design thoughts and turning these working collaboratively into completed projects makes working with the team very enjoyable.

Actiform have a very good network of dependable third-party trades which complement the experience and push the art of the possible in terms of innovation.

Not really sure what you could do better as when we raise issues they are dealt with in a timely manner, and you have good processes to ensure we never experience the same issue twice.

Steve Wilcock, Chief Operating Officer, TAC Healthcare

The service we received from Actiform in acquiring additional modular office space was exceptional. From the initial flexibility around design to meet our needs, through to achieving delivery and install on time was first class. Nothing was too much trouble and the communication throughout the process was excellent, whilst providing a value for money solution.

Steve Preston, Operations Manager, Leeds Federated Housing Association

Having used Actiform to supply a large compound set up on a Smart Motorway project, the service received was second to none. From the initial enquiry to the final installation, all aspects of the project went to plan. The cabin design and layout was revised on numerous occasions and no request or alteration seemed to be too much trouble. All communication, planning and installation was very collaborative and all key dates and deadlines were actually completed ahead of programme.

Corin Feltham in particular offered his wealth of knowledge and experience throughout the process along with introducing some excellent ideas to save both time and money. All in all a good experience working with Actiform and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again on other schemes.

Dave Wright, Site Agent, Kier Highways

Back in the autumn of 2015 we had a requirement to procure offices and welfare facilities of 3,000m2 plus over 3 floors for our Tideway-East project in Bermondsey, London.

We went out to tender and Actiform provided a construction package that we eventually purchased. Right from the start – sales , tender, design, manufacture, installation and aftercare support, Actiform have been very professional, proactive and suggested cost saving solutions without compromising our facilities. Their site installation team had all the correct RAMS and certification to carry out our installation in a planned and well organised time scale.

From the beginning both parties, CVB JV and Actiform, have worked openly and honestly together and we have an excellent working relationship. I cannot praise Actiform enough and would certainly recommend them to any prospective client.

Gordon Alexander, CVB JV