Percy Hedley Foundation Upper School and Annex

Description

Identity Consult were appointed in summer 2015 by the Percy Hedley Foundation as Employer’s Agent on the refurbishment of their existing Upper School and construction of a new-build annex adjacent to the existing building. The school is located in Killingworth, Newcastle.

The project was split into two distinct sections, the refurbishment of the existing school and the new build annex construction.

Several key factors had to be considered throughout the design and construction phase. Many of Percy Hedley’s students have profound and multiple learning difficulties and require specialist facilities and equipment to help them achieve their full potential. On this basis, the quality and accuracy of the design was paramount to ensure the facility was fit for purpose.

Furthermore, despite programming the works to maximise holiday periods, part of the works took place during term time on what remained a live campus. As such, careful planning was required to ensure the programme was met whilst minimising the impact to staff and students.

Stakeholder engagement was also crucial. The project had to be delivered on budget whilst implemented the specialist requirements of the Occupational Therapists and other school staff. Identity Consult implemented a robust CCR and stakeholder engagement process to ensure these drivers could be balanced and the project delivered in time for the 2017 school intake.

The project was procured on a Design & Build basis, tendered over two stages and administered via a JCT 2011 form of contract with client amendments.

Testimonial

The Percy Hedley Foundation (PHF) engaged with Identity Consult (IC) to provide build project management, cost consultancy and CDM-C support on Phase 1 of our Killingworth Development (Hydrotherapy Pool and 26 Bed Children’s Home) including leading the competitive tender process for the appoint of the initial design team. The IC team led and advised PHF throughout the project and have forged an excellent working relationship with key PHF leads and a clear understanding of PHF’s operational requirements. IC have been professional, creative, forward thinking and extremely responsive, yet sensitive to our needs throughout. The project was pressured in terms of funding and timescales deadlines from the outset, IC have eased these pressures to ensure costs and client demands were met.

Ashley Wear