Our company was awarded the major works package on the £32 million contract to construct a new sixth form college on the site of the existing Aquinas College in Stockport.

The 14,000 m² facility includes a performing arts centre with recording facilities, IT teaching rooms and a learning resource centre.

The Sixth Form College underwent a complete rebuild programme. The new build Sixth Form College was built on an existing green open space, located in a residential area, on the boundary of a Conservation Area. The scheme involved public consultation, sympathetic design and specialist planning advice.

The construction works were procured via a two stage design and build process, which allowed early contractor involvement in design/programme development and resulted in a guaranteed maximum price within the funders cost parameters. The funders publicly praised the project team for control of costs during this process.

One of the challenges was to take a fresh look at how to shape student learning and support outside of the classroom, this was achieved over 3 floors bringing together complimentary learning, support advice and guidance services under one roof. The library service, learning support, IT technical and support services, councillor and careers advisor all operate out of the same space.