Robertson construction of school in Clackmannanshire

Tullibody South Campus schools and nursery

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Summary

Sector
Education
Value
£15 million
Location
Tullibody
Status
Completed
Customer
Clackmannanshire Council
Completion
August 2019
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Investing in schools for the future and early years education

Robertson has completed a state-of-the-art campus housing three educational spaces, a library and community facilities for the pupils and residents of Clackmannanshire.

The new state-of-the-art Tullibody South Campus houses three educational spaces in one place. It has been completed in three main phases to the agreed schedule and budget. The fourth and final phase – comprising some demolition, external works, play areas and sports fields – is set for completion in late 2020.

  • 5,650 m2
  • 440 Abercromby Primary pupils, 120 St Bernadette's RC Primary pupils and 140 nursery places
  • Community hub with new library, meeting rooms and gym hall for local residents
  • State-of-the-art teaching rooms
  • Immersive, multi-sensory, interactive learning room
  • Outdoor learning spaces
  • Multifunctional spaces for flexible learning
  • Feature staircases
  • Artificial sports pitch
  • Skylights and large windows for natural light

A live environment: maintaining education alongside construction

We partially demolished the original school building to make room to construct the new Campus within the grounds of Abercromby Primary School. Before this could happen, we needed to build temporary classrooms. This temporary teaching village was completed in 12 weeks, within a live school environment, and included water services, electrical supply, toilet blocks and access path.

We worked over two weekends to crane the portacabins into position, minimising disruption to the daily operation of the school. We relocated furniture, equipment and consumables from existing classrooms facilitating the transition to the new teaching village for staff and pupils.

Constructing a sustainable design

The design by Keppie Design included sustainable elements such as reduced water consumption technologies, rainwater harvesting, a natural ventilation strategy, biomass boiler, solar photovoltaic panels and a lighting strategy that maximises natural daylight and minimises and regulates artificial lighting. Constructing this design to specification assures a sustainable low-energy facility for the future for Clackmannanshire Council.

Building outdoor learning spaces

Keppie placed a strong focus on biophilic design – connecting users with the outdoors and making this a true extension of the learning environment. We constructed the series of staggered, fully glazed playroom spaces in the design that link the indoors seamlessly with outdoor play areas.

These outdoor facilities can be shared by different groups in the joint campus, easing a natural transition from nursery to primary school and enhancing the feeling of community.

Engaging with the community

The team created fun and interesting ways for the children of Abercromby Nursery to get involved. We modified a section of the perimeter hoarding to look like a castle, which the children named the 'Fly High Castle'. It included a viewing platform and windows giving children the chance to see the progress of the new building.

The Tullibody South Introduction to Construction programme was developed to give 12 older pupils an in-depth insight into the construction including the variety of careers available, phases of a live project, skills required and preparation for the workplace. Some of the pupils secured work placements with different contractors. This initiative was shortlisted in the Pupil Experience category at the Education Buildings Scotland Awards 2019.

Our hard work was recognised when a Considerate Constructors Monitor awarded us 44/50 for the overall project. The appearance of the Campus received 10/10 with the castle hoarding noted as 'exceptionally inventive and imaginative work.'

Project team

Architect: Keppie Design
Project manager: Amber Blue
Principal contractor: Robertson Central East
Civil & structural engineer: Baker Hicks
M&E engineer: Baker Hicks
CDM coordinator: Kirk & Marsh