ROBERT SMYTH ACADEMY, MARKET HARBOROUGH

This project comprised the design and construction of a new classroom accommodation building delivered to DfE standards within a fully operational secondary school. The scheme included 16 classrooms (five science laboratories and eleven general teaching spaces), ancillary accommodation including café, WCs and offices, and extensive external works.

Works were planned and sequenced to minimise disruption to the live school environment while maintaining programme certainty. Early enabling works included cable and drainage diversions and the formation of a temporary cement-stabilised haul road and working platform to support construction access. The building superstructure and envelope were delivered using a steel frame solution, allowing efficient erection and early enclosure. External areas were reinstated following completion, with surrounding land pulverised and returned to grass and sports pitch use, ensuring no long-term impact on school facilities.

The building was centrally located within the school site, adjacent to active sports fields, creating complex access, logistics and safeguarding challenges. Construction zones were fully segregated from school operations using secure fencing and controlled access routes. Where construction traffic was required to utilise a live school access road, a full-time banksman was deployed throughout the project to escort all vehicles and personnel. Delivery scheduling was tightly managed to ensure no construction movements occurred during pupil crossing periods. These controls ensured a safe environment for pupils, staff and visitors at all times

A structured project management approach was adopted from mobilisation, including early workshops with the client, design team, subcontractors and stakeholders to align expectations, responsibilities and reporting protocols. Weekly on-site meetings were held with the client’s technical team to review progress, upcoming activities and any potential impact on school operations, allowing the programme to be flexed around unplanned school requirements. Monthly progress meetings were supported by detailed reports covering programme, cost, procurement and health and safety. All senior site staff held enhanced DBS clearance, with records maintained in line with the school’s safeguarding procedures

Value engineering was undertaken collaboratively following Stage 1 to align the project with the client’s budget while protecting key quality, performance and programme requirements. This process was managed efficiently to maintain critical milestones and incorporated seamlessly into the developing contractor’s proposals

Sustainability and decarbonisation measures were integral to the design, including a steel frame with brick façade, insulated composite panel roof, natural cross-flow ventilation via stack-effect units, and integration of Solar Panels with a wider site-wide renewable energy strategy incorporating 420 roof-mounted photovoltaic panel.

The project was delivered successfully within a live school environment, providing pupils and staff with modern, high-quality teaching facilities incorporating the latest technologies and improved energy performance. The completed building is future-proofed, sustainable and fully integrated into the wider school estate. The project achieved a high-quality handover with minimal defects, supported by strong client relationships, positive stakeholder feedback and meaningful engagement with pupils throughout the term of the project with structured activities including assemblies and supervised site visits.

The building does look amazing and we are so close to handover. Great craftsmanship and management throughout. Prior to my time at RSA, I’ve worked amongst many different construction firms, but you guys stand out by far. True dedication, client satisfaction and build quality. 

At RSA we believe in the ethos that we are a family, and over the last 58 weeks you have become part of that. All good things sadly come to an end, and you will be missed.

James Hawker, Senior Site Technician (Robert Smyth Academy)