An £11.5 million project to refurbish and remodel All Saints C of E Academy in Plymouth continues to make great progress.
The project – which falls under the Government’s Academies Framework – is entering the final stages of work, allowing the building to open in time for the autumn 2013 term. The project comprises the construction of 4200 sq meters of new build and the remodelling and refurbishment of the site’s existing east wing building.
BAM Construction is the main contractor on All Saints C of E Academy after being appointed by Plymouth City Council in early 2012. BAM has been in operation since 1874 and completes work throughout the UK, designing, constructing and managing buildings.
The work on All Saints C of E Academy is being implemented as part of the Government’s drive to invest in academies throughout the country and is the fifth scheme conducted by BAM Construction under the Academies Framework. In total, 71 academies were awarded a capital funding grant in December 2010, allowing each site to benefit from improvements and modernisation.
Once work is completed on the project, All Saints C of E Academy will boast a range of flexible learning spaces, a new theatre and creative arts areas and new ICT facilities. In addition, the campus will also benefit from new furniture, equipment and sporting provisions and will be DDA compliant. Extensive landscaping will take place to complete the project.
The redevelopment of All Saints C of E Academy has benefited the local community, with main contractor BAM Construction creating apprenticeship opportunities throughout the construction programme.
Discussing the importance of the project, BAM Construction Area Manager, Graham Kingdon, said:
“We were very pleased to be awarded preferred bidder on the contract. Winning these contracts has been a key target for us and has allowed us to invest in Plymouth as many of our staff and supply chain partners live and work in the area.
“We see Plymouth as an up and coming city and an important place to do business. This is why we targeted these contracts and we work extremely hard to offer the city extremely good value for money.”
Discussing BAM Construction’s involvement on the project as main contractor, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Sam Leaves, said:
“It was a real boost to the local economy. It has created jobs and apprenticeships for young people and it ensures that those young people attending All Saints will benefit from excellent learning environments.”
To ensure that the whole community could become a part of the project, students at the academy were asked to take part in the Construction Art Project, which would see their artwork displayed on the site’s hoarding boards.
BAM Construction Education and Community Co-ordinator, Lorna Lewis, said:
“We were delighted with the quality of the artwork for the hoarding. All Saints Academy’s is some of the best I have seen.”
All Saints C of E Academy is a vibrant learning environment, committed to offering its students the highest levels of education possible. The academy aims to continually inspire its students and the communities it serves, promoting high self-esteem and confidence, equipping students with the skills they require for future employment or higher education.
All Saints C of E Academy, Plymouth is scheduled to open in September 2013.
For more information about All Saints C of E Academy please visit: www.asap.org.uk.
