Warton Nethersole's CE Primary School
Sector: Education
Client: Warwickshire County Council
Framework: SCAPE Regional Construction
Project value: £2.5m
"I just wanted to say a big thank you for helping at sports day - and helping in a way that was so easy for school to manage! It was really appreciated! The hamper is also incredibly generous and I was really pleased with the obvious effort and expense that has gone into it. I am sure it will really help our fundraising."
Susan Friend
Head Teacher, Warton Nethersole's CE Primary School
Collaborating to overcome financial challenges and deliver a re-designed and re-engineered project on time.
At Warton Nethersole's CE Primary School in Warwickshire, Stepnell Construction delivered a two-phase programme of works to remodel the school and provide a two-classroom extension within tight timescales.
Delivered by Stepnell for Warwickshire County Council through the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework. Alongside the physical improvements, the project delivered significant social value for the school and wider community, achieving £1.66m in social value, with 67% local spend.
The first phase of the project involved an internal remodelling to enhance learning spaces, increase the dining hall, and create a new library and family support area. The second phase delivered a modular two-classroom extension using an offsite manufactured timber frame on piled foundations.
The rural surroundings required sensitive integration and minimal environmental disruption, while unexpected asbestos removal added further complexity during the remodelling phase.
With a live school environment, the project had a strict delivery period to adhere to, ensuring minimal disruption to the pupils and their learning.
The school's rural surroundings required sensitive integration and minimal environmental disruption. To minimise the project's impact on the local environment, the project team established a construction exclusion zone around protected trees and worked with an ecologist to safely re-home bats on site.
During the first phase of the project, significant additional works were required, including unexpected removal of asbestos.
Delays to the extension project arose due to issues with planning permission and the financial stability of the modular supplier. Stepnell proactively engaged with the client, taking responsibility for design, re-engineering and procurement of an alternative solution to minimise delays and additional costs.
Phase one was completed within the strict six-week programme, with the team working weekends and revising shift schedules to ensure pupils could return on time.
The two-classroom extension was completed on time against the revised approved programme. Smooth commissioning and post-completion support were provided by an onsite aftercare manager.
The project achieved a Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 45/45, with the scheme noting that site constraints were well managed through curfews and regular communication with the local community.
Social value in action
The project team supported the school and wider community through a range of employment, skills and volunteering activities.
The team provided 23 hours of mock interview support for individuals facing employment barriers through the Restart scheme, alongside careers engagement with pupils. A further 20 hours of volunteering supported local initiatives, including the school’s sports day, where five volunteers helped run activities and provide refreshments. The team also donated a £250 hamper to the school raffle.
The project generated £1.66m in social value, with 67% of spend directed to businesses within 20 miles. 100% of subcontractor spend was with SMEs, including one VCSE, supporting local businesses and creating opportunities within the community.
Why SCAPE?
Using the SCAPE framework has aided in raising standards in construction, and following compulsory KPIs ensures that we are striving to work and build better with our supply chain. The NEC contract promotes collaboration and shared risk ownership.
Social value outcomes
This project has been submitted by Stepnell Construction as part of the collaborative Social Value in Construction Benchmarking Report. This report captures the latest insight into the regional and national trends in social value delivery, learn more here.
£1.66m
Social value generated
100%
SME subcontractor spend
67%
Local spend within 20 miles
23 hours
Mock interview support for individuals with employment barriers
20 hours
Volunteering for local initiatives
In collaboration with:
Meet the lead:
Owen Cheshire
Framework Manager | Construction
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SCAPE Construction
For the public sector
SCAPE Construction frameworks can deliver projects of any size and complexity and are supported by an extensive local supply chain.
Social Value in Construction
Benchmarking Report
SCAPE's annual report in collaboration with Social Value Portal that captures the latest insight into the regional and national trends in social value delivery.