Educational Business Award for Baxter College and Habberley

Schools from across the UK were recognised for their achievements on 5 December at the 2013 Education Business Awards, sponsored by Rathbones.

Taking place at The Emirates Stadium in North London, the Awards, now in their eighth year, saw schools presented with accolades in 21 categories by former Olympic Athelete Roger Black MBE.

The winner of the Academy Partnership Award, sponsored by ESPO, was Baxter College / H.E.L.P, Kidderminster
The citation for the award was as follows:
Habberley Educational Learning Partnership (H.E.L.P.)of Baxter College, St. John's CofE Primary School and Wyre Forest School arose from the demise of the Building Schools for the Future initiative. Enthusiasm generated from working together led to an ambitious plans submitted to the DfE involving a brand new Special School with residential block, a 13 laboratory science block, an early years hub with nursery provision, artificial floodlit pitches, associated car parking and landscape work. Baxter College’s contribution was to provide the land. A Joint Management Committee will oversee community usage once the development is completed. The collaboration will open up an exciting range of possibilities for integration, learning advancement and employment.




Left to right: Roger Black (former Olympic athlete and now BBC commentator), Lawrence Gittins (headteacher at St. John's CofE Primary), Mick Russell (Head of Wyre Forest School), David Seddon (Principal at Baxter College), and the M.D. of ESPO (sponsors).



Webcam Link : a reminder

View from the webcam at dusk, 19 December 2013

Now is a great time to follow the Webcam for the new Wyre Forest School. The wall cassettes are currently being craned into place, and the building is emerging rapidly...

Follow this link

http://smlhabberley1.no-ip.org/index.htm

The view from the webcam is of the Wyre Forest School, taken from the future campus square, in the foreground on the ground floor will be the suite of sensory rooms.


Depending on your computer configurations, you may need to click on viewer: javascript

Wyre Forest School: Week 23

The latest progress:

Activity/Observations

  Back fill and floor slab preparation is continuing to perimeter of hydrotherapy pool, including Water Play Room.
 Cutting, placing and fixing of soleplates are continuing, these will support the walls.
 Erection of perimeter scaffold is continuing.
 Base coat and binder layers of tarmac being laid to car park areas.


So what's next?
 Continue floor slab / cantilevered floor around hydro pool, scaffold erection, fixing of sole plates, crane erection.

Setting out the timber soleplates ready to receive the walls

The formwork and reinforcement for the shell of the Water Play sensory area

Detail of the reinforcement bars which will strengthen the concrete

The tarmac base course to the car park has been laid for site vehicles,
the final wearing course will be added much later.

Science Hub: Week 23

Science Block: battening for external insulation layer

View looking down onto the atrium at first floor level

The first waterproofing layer being added to the roof, showing the clerestory window openings in the background.

Progress this week

Activity/Observations

 Timber frame erection is continuing. Roof cassette fitting is almost complete.
 Fitting of air tightness tapes are continuing as areas become available.
 Setting up and fitting of metal floor ducts for science lab services (gas, water, electricity) are almost complete.
 Scaffold erection is continuing as required.
 Fitting of torch on membrane to lower roof area has started.


So what's next?
 Continue timber frame erection, fitting of air leakage tapes, scaffold erection, floor duct fitting, roof covering membrane, start boarding ceilings, start ducting.

Weekly Boarding Unit: Week 23

What's been happening this week?
Activity/Observations

 Continue erection of timber frame, envelope now complete - continue roof counter battens (70mm x 75mm) Install Tyvek breather membrane – Fit cedar fascia/barge – Parapets – roof tiles
 Complete second skin sheathing and timber framing
 Internal partition walls and floor zone 1st floor acoustic insulation + netting - commence floating/acoustic floor to 1st floor
 Commence double layer fire line plaster boarding GF ceilings
 Electrical first fix, containment
 External door and window installations + taping etc
 Warmcell installations, walls completed, roof to follow
 Air tight membrane + taping now advanced
 1st fix plumber soil and vent pipes for waste water
 Kerb racing to parking and building approach, include line of swale (the swale is shallow ground depression designed to manage water runoff, filter pollutants, and increase rainwater infiltration)

So what's next?

 Roof tiling, outer cladding

Roof counterbattens being fixed-doubled up at the eaves and ridge, these allow overhangs to be formed without causing cold bridging, as unlike the roof casettes they lie ouside the insulation zone.

Roof with windtight breather membrane and battens on, with roof tiles laid out ready for fixing.



Inside the building with the plasterboard fixed to the floor soffit.



Link to webcam

We have now setup a live video feed facing the new Wyre Forest School, if you would like to view the feed please click on the link below:

http://smlhabberley1.no-ip.org

Newsletter for Students and Parents December 2013

Science Block - Site Progress Week 22

Activity/Observations

 Timber frame erection is continuing. Roof cassette fitting is continuing, clerestory frame fitting has started.
 Air tightness tapes are being fitted.
 Setting up of metal floor ducts is continuing.
 Scaffold erection is continuing as required.

So what's next?
 Continue timber frame erection, fitting of air leakage tapes, scaffold erection and floor duct fitting.



The triangular central atrium and balcony




Roof cassettes are being placed and the clerstorey walls erected




Concrete floor slab primed and air tightness tapes being fitted.



Wyre Forest School - Week 22

What's been happening on site this week?

 Back fill and floor slab preparation is continuing to perimeter of hydro pool, including Water Play Room.
 Cutting, placing and fixing of soleplates for the timber framed walls are in progress.
 Erection of perimeter scaffold is continuing.
 Make up levels in 6f2 is almost complete to main car park area, curb laying, ducting and drainage continuing. Shaping up in type 1 material has started.

So what's next?
 Continue floor slab / cantilevered floor around hydro pool, scaffold erection, fixing of sole plates kerbs to car park and shape up with type 1.
The first deliveries of the timber frame panels are due shortly.


View of the school showing the lift shafts (as seen from the top of the Science Block)



Excavating for the Water Play Sensory Room alongside the pool



Surveying, levelling and laying kerbs for the Special School car park



Design Unit Visit - 6 Dec 2013

A substantial group of visitors from Worcestershire County Council Property Services were welcomed on a visit to the Habberley site on Friday 6 December, along with Councillor Liz Eyre, County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families.

It was the first opportunity for a number of colleagues to see the progress of this major project on site, with its innovative approach to education provision and low enenrgy construction techniques. Because of the use of off-site prefabrication of the wall and roof panels, the buildings are emerging rapidly. After a health and safety induction, the group were given tours of the Weekly Boarding unit and the Science Block by the architects and members of the Speller Metcalfe site team.

Preparing to visit the site

Visiting the new Science Block

Wyre Forest School: Week 21

Work on site this week:


 Block work to lift shafts is complete.
 Back fill and floor slab preparation is in progress to perimeter of hydro pool.
 Cutting and placing of soleplates to set out the timber framed walls has started.
 Erection of perimeter scaffold is in progress.
 Make up levels in recycled hardcore is almost complete to main car park area, curb laying, ducting and drainage continuing. Shaping up in type 1 hardcore material has started.
 Block work is built to part of south east landscape retaining wall ready for concrete fill.


So what's next?
 Continue south east retaining wall, floor slab / cantilevered floor around hydro pool, scaffold erection, kerbs to car park and shape up with hardcore.

Overview of the site showing the completed lift shafts and the scaffolding being erected

The area around the hydrotherapy pool being backfilled

This retaining wall in the outdoor areas is formed with a reinforced cavity to be filled with concrete

Car park kerbs being laid

Science Block : Week 21

Activity on site this week:

 Timber frame erection is continuing. Fitting of floor cassettes complete and roof cassettes fitting is in progress. Circular columns fitted to ground floor areas.
 Setting up of metal floor ducts has started.
 Scaffold erection is continuing as required.

So what's next?
 Continue timber frame erection and floor duct fitting.

Walls being erected at first floor around the atrium area

The scaffold cage and crane

View of the frame from the entrance towards the atrium

Weekly Boarding Unit: Contract Week 21

First floor walls awaiting roof cassette

The same view with roof cassette and roof counterbattens on forming the roof overhangs



Acoustic insulation is added to the ground floor ceilings

 What has been happening on site this week?

Continue erection of timber frame, now at roof level - roof cassettes now at around 50% complete – roofing counter battens (70mm x 75mm)
 Continue second skin sheathing and timber framing - this will form a thermal 'wrap' around the building.
 Plinth Damp proof membrane– overlay plinth DPM – install 150mm insulation + slab on edge to form a 300mm high plinth around the building. – now advanced
 Internal partition walls and floor zone 1st floor acoustic insulation + netting.
 Commence door and window installations
 1st fix plumber soil and vent pipes
 Air tightness membrane + taping, on-going

Science Block: Week 20

Wall cassettes forming the Science Block central atrium

The Science Block Crane

What's been happening on site this week?

Activity/Observations

 Timber frame erection to ground floor is continuing. Floor cassettes being placed. Also erection of steel stanchions and beams.
 Scaffold erection is continuing as required.

So what's next?
 Continue timber frame erection including 1st floor areas.

Craning a first floor timber cassette into place.

Wyre Forest School: Week 20




Starting to build the landscape retaining wall to the Primary play area. It will be finished in buff coloured brickwork.

 


What has been happening on site this week

Activity/Observations

 Block work to lift shafts continuing and scaffold erection as required.
 Insulation, drainage and backfill to rear of retaining wall is complete.
 Make up levels in recycled hardcore is almost complete to main car park area, curb laying, ducting and drainage in progress.
 Back wash tank to hydro pool is being fitted.
 Shutters and steelwork have started to south east brickwork retaining wall. This forms the edge of the primary age playground.
So what's next?
 Continue drainage, south east retaining wall, floor slab / cantilevered floor around hydro pool, kerbs to car park.
Behind the scenes, New World Timber Ltd are preparing for the first section of timber walls and roof in their factory.


This attenuation tank will take waste water from the hydrotherapy pool and discharge it slowly to the sewer






The car park at the school being formed, kerbs being put into place.

 

Weekly Boarding Unit: Week 20

The tops of the internal walls at roof level awaiting the roof cassettes

What's been happening on site this week? Continue erection of timber frame, now at roof level - commence roof cassettes
 Temporary bracing ongoing
 Continue second skin sheathing and timber framing
 Plinth: install 150mm insulation and slab on edge to form a plinth to the timber cladding.
 Air tight membrane and taping to ensure airtightness, reduce draughts and heat loss
 Continue scaffold adjustments
So what's next? Commence window and doorway installations

View from the garden side of the Weekly Boarding Unit

My Learning Experience at the Village of Learning

Caught in the act!

Hi, my name is Nathan Bakewell. I work for SpellerMetcalfe Major Works. I am currently in my third year of a Construction Management degree from Nottingham Trent University. In June 2013 I joined SpellerMetcalfe on a year long placement. In September, I joined the project team on site at the Habberley Learning Village.

When I arrived, the works were well underway! I am based on the Wyre Forest Special School, but I often get involved in the projects on the Weekly Boarding and Science Block. My role is to support the Project team in a variety of ways. I have spent a lot of time with Neil Carlson, SpellerMetcalfe's Engineer. I have carried out surveys, setting out, level checks and helped with the on going quality assurance. I have found that working alongside Neil, I have a better understanding of the drawings and specifications required on this project. 

During the month of October, I was assigned the task of organising and overseeing the work at the electrical substation during the school half term. During this period, Western Power Distribution replaced the transformer and feeder pillar. We installed the new feeds for the Special School, Early years hub and installed a duct for the all-weather pitch feed.

I am grateful for the support that I have received from the project team, not just SpellerMetcalfe employees, but others on site who have been available to answer my questions.

I look forward to the future on this project! If you are on site then feel free to come and say hello and introduce yourself to me. I share an office with Neil Carlson.

Wyre Forest School: Week 19



The concrete shell of the hydrotherapy pool seen from above

 What's been happening on site this week?

 Block work to lift shafts continuing and scaffold erection continuing as required.
 Insulation, drainage and backfill to rear of retaining wall almost complete.
 Make up pf levels in recycled hardcore is continuing to main car park area.

Sports pitch area Laying of hardcore and concrete edgings to Sports pitch path has started.

So what's next? Continue drainage, floor slab / cantilevered floor around hydrotherapy pool, shaping of terrace area, backfill to retaining wall, sport pitch paths.



Scaffolding being put up around the lift shafts. The lift shafts are being built in concrete blockwork.



Science Block: Week 19

What's been happening on site this week?

 Timber frame erection to ground floor walls and stairwells are in progress. Also erection of steel stanchions and beams.
 Scaffold erection is continuing.



A crane is used to lift the prefabricated panels into place



A view of the wall panels forming the central atrium in the Science Block

Weekly Boarding - Week 19

Second skin webbed beams being fixed in position

What's been happening on site this week?

Activity/Observations

 Continue erection of timber frame, partitions/structure now 80% complete overall, including position and fix floor cassettes

 Temporary bracing ongoing

 Commence second skin sheathing and timber framing - this will be insulated a forms a 'wrapping' layer around all structural elements to avoid cold spots in the structure and improve overall insulation to very high standards

 Air tight membrane

 Position glu-lam first floor support beams + steels

 Continue scaffold adjustments with 3rd lift and loading bays

 Continue gabion assembly, make up levels to sprinkler tank base area and grade to rear

Comments

 Outer sheathing/framing progressing well in-conjunction with timber frame erection

Programme*

So what's next? 2 further weeks of timber frame erection

 Continue second skin sheathing and non structural elements



First floor walls being craned into place



Airtightness Workshop 11 November 2013





Airtightness tapes: Team members get stuck in

   This week members of the design and site team met up for a workshop on air-tightness. The training was undertaken by a company called SIGA who manufacturer sheeting and tapes which are used to seal buildings.

Minimising the amount of air that leaks out through the walls and roof is important, it not only minimises the amount of heat that is lost from inside to outside, but also protects the walls of the building from damage due to the passage of water vapour into the structure. The more heat we can keep inside the building, the less energy we need to use to keep it at a comfortable temperature. An air-tight construction leads to greater comfort due to less draughts, and results in better sound protection from external noise.

The buildings have an air-tight and a wind-tight layer. The air-tight layer is located to the inside face of the walls and roof, and is made up of a sheet which is securely taped at the joints and around all window and door openings, to make sure there are no holes. The wind-tight layer is to the outside face and is formed by taping the joints of the external wall and roof board. The building insulation is in-between the two layers.

When both layers are complete, a specialist tests the building for any air leakage through holes in the building by performing a pressure test. The pressure tests involves blowing air into the building to see how much leaks out, and then sucking it out to see how much air can be brought in, both over a period of time. This tells us how 'leaky' the building is.
As part of the workshop we discussed the air-tightness and wind-tightness details on the Habberley buildings, and had lots of fun using a variety of sheeting and tapes to seal a model building.



Not bad for a first attempt!