Steel progressing on North East schools

Forming part of a nationwide programme, five new secondary schools are to be constructed in the North East of England.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency [ESFA] has appointed BAM Construction for this Capital Framework North East Batch A of priority schools.

All of the schools are steel-framed replacements for existing and out-dated premises. This batch consists of two schools in Hartlepool, one in Houghton Le Spring, another in Whickham as well as the Durham Community Business College.

The first of the two Hartlepool projects to get started is the English Martyrs School (pictured), located on the western fringes of the town.

BAM started on site during April this year and is scheduled to complete the project in May 2020. As well as building the new premises, the works also include demolishing the old school and creating new sports pitches.

The new school building is one large U-shaped steel frame, partially enclosing a landscaped garden.

Most of the frame incorporates two-storeys, apart from three large open-plan areas that accommodate a sports hall, a chapel and the main entrance atrium, which will also double up as a dining hall.

Steelwork contractor Harry Marsh [Engineers] are fabricating, supplying and erecting more than 500t of structural steelwork for the project.