Tilbury Douglas, a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out business, has marked a construction milestone at its Tulip Academy project with a groundbreaking ceremony.
The project, located on Neville Avenue in Spalding, is on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) for the Community Inclusive Trust (CIT).
The scheme is set to deliver a new build, two-storey, Special Educational Needs (SEN) school for children and young adults aged 11 to 16 with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities, replacing the previous out-dated accommodation.
Now that the temporary school is completed and in-use, work can begin on the new-build accommodation, and this was celebrated on 18 July with a ground-breaking celebration with pupils and teachers at the school site.
Building for the future, the new school will benefit from operational savings and the build must be Net Zero Carbon in Operation.
The strategy includes photovoltaic panels on the roof, Natural Ventilation with Heat Recovery (NVHR) units, cross ventilation, and air source heat pumps.
The plan also includes a range of external works, with an aim to meet the Urban Greening factor and the DfE’s biodiversity specification, therefore, the landscaping strategy will also be a key consideration.
Tulip Academy Headteacher, Matt Bloodworth-Flatt, said: “This is an exciting day for the staff and pupils. The re-development of our Waterside Campus will bring a new school building that will provide much-needed new facilities to our pupils, all of whom have complex needs.
“We are looking forward to seeing the building take shape.”
Simon Butler, Managing Director – Building Central at Tilbury Douglas:
“It is great to come together to celebrate the official start of construction of this important scheme. It is also great to see the significant temporary school has now been constructed and is occupied, allowing for the main building works to commence.
“We will continue to work closely with the team to ensure minimal disruption to the day-to-day running of the school.”