Astrea Academy – completion of Primary School and progress on Secondary School

September has been a busy month in Sheffield for Kier staff working on the two schools. A great effort by the team looking after the refurbishment project saw the successful handover of the Grade 2 listed building. As we now see the first of the teachers and children entering their new education environment, the focus turns to the new build construction of the Astrea Academy secondary block. The new build team are on course for completing in mid-March.

The challenges of the topography of the site mixed in with some challenging civils works are now behind us, along with the structural steel work and concrete flows. We now enter the busy period of walls within the building beginning to look like a school. The sub-contractor numbers on site are over 100 people and the output and enthusiasm is matching the programme. Below are some notable observations on the new build site;

• The roof covering is nearing completion with just the parapet capping to complete. The sports hall and terrace roofs are also all completed.
• The major M&E plant was craned to the roof last week to allow the M&E roof install to commence which consisted of all the AHU’s and chillers to allow the ductwork to start.
• Internal drylining first fix is 90% complete and the external SFS and cement board is also coming to an end with only 15% remaining to complete the full building.
• The façade finishes are also underway with the brickwork ongoing to both front and back of the building. Rainscreen cladding build up (insulation and brackets etc.) in the other areas is well underway to multiple elevations.
• The M&E first fix is ongoing. NG Bailey have handed over a number of classrooms on all floors and plastering works have started this week.
• Gas and watermain trenching works are underway in advance of mains connection throughout October.
• All windows are fitted, excluding the loading bays, and the curtain walling is ongoing with 50% of the stick work up and fitted.
• External works are seeing the formation of the sports MUGA pitching including the dynamic gabion basket install due to the testing conditions with site levels.