Morgan Sindall Construction has achieved a significant milestone in the development of the £30m ($37.8m) Horizons Academy in Nottinghamshire, UK, with the completion of the building's structural elements.
The specialist educational needs (SEN) school in Mansfield is designed to cater to up to 160 children, providing them with a tailored learning environment.
To commemorate this milestone, a ceremonial timber frame signing of the building was organised.
Nottinghamshire County Council leader Sam Smith, alongside fellow councillors and representatives from Diverse Academies Trust and Arc Partnership, participated in the event.
Arc Partnership is a joint venture between public sector procurement specialist SCAPE and Nottinghamshire County Council, overseeing design, cost, and project management.
The school, which is on schedule for handover this November, is part of Nottinghamshire County Council's broader strategy to meet the growing demand for specialist school places.
The building’s structural envelope is now complete, and the focus will shift to the internal fit-out, with external work expected to commence in early 2025.
The project, procured through SCAPE, has employed a workforce, with nearly half residing within 20 miles of the site. Additionally, 63% of the project's total spend has been with local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), bolstering the regional economy.
Sustainability has been a key consideration throughout the project. In collaboration with Arc Partnership, Morgan Sindall has reduced the site's embodied carbon.
Arc Partnership deputy managing director Sara Williams said: “Horizons Academy is a special project for us with Arc Partnership designing, cost and project managing this bespoke school.
"Particular attention has been given to how the design supports the particular needs of these young people, considering their movement around school and accommodating sensory zones and calm spaces to better support the pupils.
"It was great to celebrate the school’s progress with Nottinghamshire County Council, and we look forward to seeing how it benefits pupils and the wider community.”
Earlier in the month, Morgan Sindall Construction was appointed to rebuild the existing school buildings at Riverside Primary School in Seacombe, Wirral, UK.
