Graham has reached a construction milestone with the topping out of Down High School on Strangford Road, Downpatrick, in Northern Ireland.  

Th £33m ($43.21m) project commenced with the first sod being cut in 2022. 

It aims to develop an educational campus designed to accommodate up to 950 pupils.  

The building will feature a sports hall, physical education facilities, and sports pitches.  

Graham Building North regional managing director Gary Holmes said: “Graham is proud to deliver a best-in-class education campus which will greatly enhance learning facilities for future generations growing up in Downpatrick. 

“We have a proven track record of constructing exemplary education campuses across the UK. However, there’s no doubt that Down High School is a very special project for our site team, with many having attended the school as pupils.” 

Graham is now progressing to the next phase, which involves completing the block work, screeding floors, and securing the building against wind and water in preparation for the internal fit-out. 

The completion of Down High School is anticipated for mid-2025.  

Northern Ireland Education Minister Paul Givan said: “Once completed, this impressive new building will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the pupils, teachers, governors, community and wider South Down.  

“I commend the hard work undertaken by everyone involved over decades, to get this project to this exciting stage and I look forward to seeing the new school open.” 

Last month, Graham announced that it was nearing the completion of the £46m Audley Scarcroft Park retirement village in West Yorkshire, UK.  

This project represents a third partnership between GRAHAM and retirement village provider Audley.