SCAPE supports Morgan Sindall in expansion of Abbeywood Community School

The new Olympus Building will be open for use immediately after the February half term, expanding the school’s capacity to 1,500 pupils in response to growing local demand for secondary school places.

Procured by the council via the SCAPE Construction framework, which accelerates delivery whilst ensuring both time and cost certainty for public sector clients, the first phase of works included extending the dance studio, refurbishing and decarbonising the existing kitchen, and reconfiguring the changing room facilities. This was followed by the delivery of the new Olympus Building, which provides 10 new classrooms alongside dedicated office space, a staff working room, and enhanced welfare and accessible facilities. The scheme also included an extension to the existing car park to provide ten additional spaces, including two electric vehicle (EV) charging points, as well as the installation of a lift to better support pupils with special educational needs (SEN).

As works took place on a live school site, the project team worked in close collaboration with Abbeywood Community School throughout the delivery. Careful coordination of access and activities guaranteed that disruption to pupils was kept to an absolute minimum. To further support continuity of teaching and learning, a temporary four classroom block was installed during the first phase, ensuring lessons could continue uninterrupted. In recognition of this collaborative approach, the project achieved a perfect 45/45 Considerate Construction Scheme score during its final visit.

In line with Morgan Sindall’s commitment to deliver sustainable buildings, and reflecting SCAPE’s dedication to helping the industry achieve decarbonisation, the project team installed photovoltaic (PV) panels to the roof and air source heat pumps, helping to reduce the school’s operational carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

Throughout the project, SCAPE’s partner, Morgan Sindall encouraged project teams to work collaboratively with consultants and the supply chain to find Intelligent Solutions that reduce construction-related carbon emissions from the construction process by at least 10 tonnes. The team far exceeded this target, achieving a reduction of 148 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) through the use of electric arc furnace steel, timber waste recycling with Community Wood, and the reuse of concrete hoarding blocks from another Morgan Sindall scheme. This saving - measured using CarboniCa, an intelligent carbon reduction tool developed by Morgan Sindall Group and Once For All – is the equivalent to heating 55 UK homes for a year.

Reflecting SCAPE’s commitment to social value, the project also delivered strong outcomes for the local community through a range of initiatives. These included attending careers events at Abbeywood Community School and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGSC), where the site team spoke to students about the wide range of roles that exist in the construction industry and the different entry routes available.

The team also attended a Women in Construction Event hosted by South Gloucestershire and Stroud (SGS) College at their Filton Campus, tasking female students to try their hand at some of the trades on offer at the college.

To support the local economy in Stoke Gifford throughout construction, significant local spend was directed towards the delivery of the project. Close to £6m of project spend was delivered through small and medium sized enterprises, with £4.3 million awarded to suppliers located within 20 miles of the site – showcasing a strong commitment to supporting local and regional businesses.

Three local students were also onboarded during the project. In addition, a local plumbing student from South Gloucestershire College was placed with the M&E contractor, Keyplan Engineering, to gain valuable hands-on experience on site.

Ian added: "We don’t just want to talk about the future for our children in South Gloucestershire, we want to help build it. Better school buildings and catering for growing pupil numbers is a key part of that mission."

Claire added: "Alongside our enhanced catering, changing and drama spaces, this state-of-the-art building strengthens our provision and ensures we continue to offer a first class learning experience. Together with our main school and the Engineering Centre, the Olympus Building positions us to serve our community with excellence for many years to come."