Morgan Sindall Construction has marked the successful completion of the first stage of works at Winton Community Academy with a frame-signing ceremony.
Teachers and students from the school along with representatives from Morgan Sindall and stakeholders met at the site on Friday 15th March to celebrate the milestone by signing their names onto the cross-laminated timber (CLT) frame.
As part of the wider Children Services Capital Programme, the c£5m project will see the construction of a standalone one form entry new-build extension, designed to provide essential classroom space and a double-height sports hall to complement the existing secondary school facilities.
Procured under the Southern Construction Framework, the project is being delivered on behalf of Hampshire County Council to help meet the local community’s need for expanded and improved school spaces taking the school’s planned admission number from 900 to 1,050.
With a targeted completion date set for August, the extension spans an impressive gross internal floor area of 763sq metres and is constructed using a cutting-edge cross laminated timber frame, ensuring both durability and sustainability.
Surrounded on all four sides by live class blocks, the construction site has demanded meticulous planning and regular communication with the school community to minimise disruption. As a solution, Morgan Sindall specially designed a bridge access system that facilitates the movement of workers on site, while a gate system that functions much like a railway crossing ensures the safe and seamless entry of large equipment, such as the mobile crane employed during the timber frame erection phase.
As part of Morgan Sindall’s commitment to social value, the project team has been working with Andover College, supporting a T Level student with a placement on site lasting 24 weeks, and taking part in an apprenticeship fair. Students from the college have also been welcomed onto the site to witness the timber frame erection process firsthand and gain insights into potential careers in construction. More site visits for students are being planned following the CLT-signing event.
Clifford Kinch, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “This momentous occasion not only celebrates our progress at Winton Community Academy, but also allows the children to envision the remarkable space they will soon inhabit.
“This project represents Morgan Sindall’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality educational facilities while fostering engagement with the local community and inspiring the next generation of construction professionals.
“We look forward to project progressing towards its completion, enriching the educational landscape for generations to come.”
Rebecca Clark, Associate Principal at Winton Community Academy, commented: “At Winton, we are all delighted with the progress of our brand new building. Having a beautiful school hall in which to welcome guests, congregate with many students all together, and to welcome in the community for events, is such an exciting move forward.
“We welcome the addition of our two new-state-of-the-art science laboratories, enabling us to extend and improve access to practical science learning. Our two new classrooms are also vital as our school community continues to grow.
“It is so exciting to see the plans for the landscaped areas between our buildings, with beautiful planting, peaceful areas to sit and eat, and improved social areas for breaktimes. The much-improved bike and scooter storage space at the front of our site will make greener ways to travel to school a reality for our young people.
“This is a building that encapsulates the excellent experience and environment we want for every child at Winton Community School, and as we look to the future, we are grateful to all of those who have worked hard to make it happen.”
