School reflects with steel

Steelwork erection will be completed this month on a new school building for the University Church of England Academy at Ellesmere Port near Chester.

The new building occupies a prominent site and has been designed for 1,350 students including a 300-place sixth form. The school will vacate its current nearby premises during the summer and move into its new Academy in time for the autumn term.

Working on behalf of main contractor Kier Northern, The AA Group (TAAG) is fabricating, supplying and erecting 790t of structural steelwork for the building’s main frame. In a contract worth more than £1M, TAAG is also installing some feature glulam columns, supplying and installing all metal decking, and fitting edge protection.

The building’s main frame has a maximum of four levels and consists of two main interlinked, but structurally independent, blocks – a Learning block and a Community block.

The project also includes a centrepiece reflection pod formed with 20t of facetted and tubular steelwork. The structure sits in the middle of the school and will be used as a contemplation area for students.

Academy Principal Kevin McDermott said: “The new building will be more than a school; it will be an icon for our community.”