Prestwick North Education Campus

Our Approach

Delivering 8 weeks ahead of programme

Originally programmed to complete in October 2022, we recognised the benefit to the schools in achieving an August handover. Against a backdrop of COVID and supply chain and materials challenges the team worked closely with the supply chain implementing Construction Lean Improvement Processes (CLIP) to maximise productivity. The result was a handover 8 weeks ahead of schedule, allowing the schools to commence the academic year in their new campus.

No disruption to live learning environment

Located a mere 4m from the existing Glenburn Primary School, our solution for the campus meant that we had to demolish part of the school before we could build the new school. Eight classrooms at the rear were removed and decant accommodation installed at both schools to accommodate the nursery and some classes. This also required modification to some rooms in the existing school to adapt the nursery area and library for Primary One and create a new library in an office. These works were carried out over a summer holiday to allow the school to open in its new configuration at the start of the new academic year.These enabling works together with our team’s inclusive, collaborative stakeholder approach meant the successful delivery of the project with no impact to the live learning environment. Our performance as a good neighbour to both schools and the local community is evidenced by our 43/45 CCS score.

Maximising the circular economy

Minimising waste is a key element of our shared commitment with the Council of working towards a Net Zero future. On this project we diverted 98% of waste from landfill. This included donations of pallets and cable drums to the schools and nursery for loose parts play; re-purposing materials to create outdoor welfare facilities for our site team; donation of materials such as insulation to local residents with remaining materials used by our Tigers JV apprentices as part of their on-site training. The team also drove waste minimisation at source with key supply chain minimising packaging. This included reduced packaging by the lift contractor and our drainage contractor adopting re-usable crates for deliveries. We also engaged a local pallet company to support us in the recycling of any remaining pallets.

Completion criteria

This was our first project working with hub South West’s Independent Tester and the delivery of the quality completion criteria. A key lesson learned has been the importance of early agreement of the criteria and how this information will be verified throughout the process and ultimately at completion. To support this on this project we held monthly meetings with the Independent Tester to demonstrate assurance and confirm information was on track. At handover we provided an interactive dashboard linked to the completion criteria which facilitates the issue of the completion criteria letters for each item. This process is now being rolled out across all Scottish projects.

In our role as Independent Tester (IT) at the Prestwick Educational Campus ... we have been extremely impressed by Morgan Sindall’s commitment to Quality Assurance (QA) and in particular the demonstration of this QA through their bespoke Site Information Management System (SIMS) online interactive portal. SIMS allows us as IT an invaluable online interactive portal that we can use at live time, and on a daily and unrestricted basis to delve into the project QA, including the development of Works Packages (WPs) and the Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) contained within to give us, as IT the confidence that the project is being constructed in line with the Authority’s Construction Requirements (ACRs) and project design, generally and also allows us with instant access to aspects such as documentation and certification associated with critical contract functions such as the Completion Criteria, ensuring it is in place prior to the Certification of the Project and also allowing for instant and real time feedback. - John Kilbane, Senior Project Manager, Capita Real Estate and Infrastructure

Enhancing Communities

Inspiring the future of the construction industry

As a tandem-build project, with Glenburn Primary School and St Ninian’s Primary School on the doorstep, the project team were passionate about engaging with the pupils - bringing them along on the build. The pupils visited often for guided visits, with Project Manager Jim answering all of the challenging questions the pupils brought with them! The schools were invited to take part in a Steel Signing celebration, with the signatures left on the steel now part of the building for generations to come. The project team also delivered numerous educational presentations to the pupils to educate them on STEM skills. To encourage young people to consider a career in construction and dispell some construction industry myths, the team attended various SmartSTEM and Careers Evening events at both Prestwick Academy and Queen Margaret Academy.

Creating meaningful learning opportunities

We hosted 29 young people at our on-site training academy as part of the Tigers Pre-Apprenticeship Programme, offering young people a path to career success. The 12-week pre-apprenticeship programme helps young people gain the skills and experience needed to secure an apprenticeship. Participants in the programme develop a

better understanding of the apprenticeship process and equips them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the competitive job market. The programme includes in-depth training covering topics such as Health & Safety, career advice and interview techniques, as well as practical training to help them better prepare for the apprenticeship of their choice. From the initial intake in November 2021, 14 young people have achieved their General Construction Operative Apprenticeship with a further 7 obtaining full-time employment with our supply chain prior to completing the qualification.

Leaving a lasting legacy

With the support of our Supply Chain Family member Dalcon, the project team were able to transform a newly formed caravan park at Hansel village. The works - including providing pathways to users and easy access to the many with mobility issues - makes an invaluable contribution to the experience that visitors to the caravans will have, with access so much easier and safer for all.

Hansel are a leading social care charity. Their services include respite & short breaks at their caravan park. The respite services offer a change from the daily routine whether that be for a few hours a week or an exciting short break to a new destination. With each individual guest firmly in charge all of the respite services are personalised and designed to match their choice of activities.

Over the past year and a half I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Morgan Sindall (MS) through the planning and construction process of the new campus and grounds. I feel that MS kept us up to date with how construction was moving forward on a regular basis. Communication was a priority on their part and we received ongoing information about how the build was coming along, working closely together to ensure that the safety of the children was a priority and that communication with parents/carers was also ensured. For myself, staff and pupils, the process of moving into a new campus has been an overall very positive experience from start to finish. I feel that the key element has been the close communication with MS and their high level of detailed information regarding progress of the campus. Our staff and pupils absolutely love the building and grounds – it really is an amazing learning environment! - Gaynor Hartley - Head Teacher