Highfield Humanities College
Overview
The new £24m school provides state-of-the-art learning environments for students and staff and the wider community.
The project comprised the construction of a 1,216 place school on the existing playing fields in close proximity to the old school which was fully occupied during construction. This scheme sees the new build school and demolition of the old building within a single footprint.
Designed by multi award winning, sustainable design Architect, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, the new school provides a stunning facility for pupils, staff and the community.
With a bold colourful facade of glazed tiles giving the school a strong identity, the school features eight learning zones with a shared learning area on the ground floor creating a lively environment for social events.
There is also a hub providing focus for generic learning, seminars, support, social gatherings and external spaces for the community. Now more than twice its former size Highfield Humanities College boasts many unique features including a breath-taking open plan refectory with high ceilings and an environmentally-friendly feature roof made from toughened glass.
The new facilities include a 350 Seat Theatre, Design Technology Suite, Drama Studio, Library, Music Suite & Recording Studio, Restaurant, 8 fully equipped science laboratories and specialist rooms, Sports Hall and Specialist Teaching Areas.
Following decant and demolition of the existing facility, external works and sports provision completed this scheme.
Awards
Blackpool Civic Trust Awards 2014
Winner – Best New Building
Blackpool Civic Trust Awards 2015
Commended – Best New Building
245 Apprentice weeks created 
99.9% Waste recycled 
1103.5 Work opportunity weeks created 
36.5/50 Considerate Constructors score
Key Challenges
The school remained fully operation throughout the build with key challenges including site segregation and access, safeguarding, communication, protection of the workforce, avoiding disruption, traffic and delivery strategy and minimising noise and dust.
To overcome these challenges we put the following measures into place: Clear signage and information, regular newsletters/web updates, logistics and layout to enhance safety and the site management team were DBS cleared.
Works were planned to avoid key times such as exams and open days with noisy activities planned for holidays.
The site team ensured that deliveries were scheduled outside school arrival/home times and we identified safe pupil and pedestrian routes, along with and drop off and collection zones.
Added Value
In support of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy, Eric Wright Construction was fully committed to maximising local employment; and to providing local training opportunities during construction and operation of the new school.
Following our appointment on the Blackpool BSF Programme, the Eric Wright Group entered into a strategic partnership with the North West Apprenticeship Company to establish a Blackpool specific Apprenticeship programme with Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA), The Skills Company. We also worked in partnership with Build-up, to provide employment opportunities, supported by training at Blackpool and The Fylde College.
The ATA helped our supply chain partners, subcontractors and internal teams to take apprentices for a length of time, aligned to the delivery of their work packages.
This approach enabled us to make firm commitments to Blackpool Council on the delivery of training and apprenticeship weeks and to make our contribution to delivering a sustainable workforce for the future.
We also held Meet the Buyer events to introduce local supply chain to potential subcontractor opportunities.
Objectives
The objectives of the BSF Programme were to:
- Raise the standard of education across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast
- Improve Blackpool’s Economic Prosperity (By creating jobs and apprenticeship opportunities for local people)
- Develop a safe, clean and pleasant place to live and work
- Improve skill levels and educational achievement
- Improve the Health and wellbeing of the local population
The new school was designed to act as an enabler to improved attendance, academic achievement, health, wellbeing, behaviour and sense of worth for the young people of Blackpool.