A* for Belle Vue Academy project team

Located on a 12.6 acre brownfield site, Belle Vue Academy will comprise a main school building which will be three storeys high, with a teaching block, an adjoining drama block, and a two-storey sports block. To the rear will be two large playing fields and a multi-use games area (MUGA). 

The fantastic progress made by the team means that rather than staff and pupils moving into their new school premises in September 2023, the project is now expected to be finished towards the end of this November, with classrooms ready for action sometime in the first half of the next academic year 2022/23. 

Site, as you might expect, is a hive of activity. The steel frames are up, the roof and windows are in place and the team are currently working on the front elevation and main entrance.  Over the coming weeks, the focus will be on fit out, laying floors and joinery works.

Project Manager Richard Slater is proud of his team and pleased with the progress.

“With 12 weeks until completion, we’re moving fast, with 130-140 people working on site each day. Various tradespeople are working in numerous areas at the same time, so a high level of communication and coordination is required to keep things moving along in a positive manner.

“Our subcontractors are keeping us on our toes by throwing in a few challenges around delivery dates. For example, 10 months prior to install our sports hall timber flooring provider advised they only had a two week window for install in 2022 which is the 30^th August so we need to ensure we are more than ready for them on this day!

“Over on the front elevation, the architect has designed the façade using two different types of masonry and cladding, as well as incorporating feature windows, so we’re managing multiple subcontractors in this area at the same time.

“We’re also working to a tight schedule to enable the release of the envelope to the groundwork contractor, with key dates of the 8^th and 22^nd August. Wherever we are at then, we need to leave the envelope and work around the hard landscaping contractor who need to take priority.

“And finally, we’re on with creating the three Sports England standard pitches and MUGA alongside a play area, 140 space carpark with electric charging, and a central plaza for community.”