Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School Sixth Form Centre

Construction Processes and Methods

The main construction and finishing elements include:

• Structural steel frame.
• Precast stair installation.
• External envelope works.
• Curtain walling.
• Internal drylining and partitions.
• Mechanical and electrical installations.
• Fire stopping.
• Suspended ceilings.
• Internal doors, including fire doors.
• Internal floor finishes.
• Balustrades.
• Fixed furniture.
• Internal decorations and finishing works.
• Associated drainage.
• External works around the new building.

The construction sequence required close coordination among the structural frame, envelope, and internal trades, with later activities dependent on the building being structurally complete and sufficiently weather-tight.

Challenges and Constraints

The project is being delivered within a fully operational secondary school, which has remained in use throughout the construction period. This has required works to be carefully managed and segregated from pupils, staff and visitors, including:

• Secure segregation of the construction area from the live school.
• Controlled access into the construction site.
• Management of deliveries and construction traffic.
• Maintaining safe routes for pupils, staff and visitors.
• Coordination of noisy or disruptive activities to minimise the impact on the operation of the school.
• Maintaining construction welfare, compounds and storage areas separately from school operations.
• Regular coordination with the school regarding activities that could affect its day-to-day operation.
• The school environment has therefore been a significant consideration in both the site logistics and overall construction programme.
• The Sixth Form building is being constructed within the existing school estate rather than on an unrestricted standalone site.
• Construction access, deliveries, material storage, plant movements and subcontractor access are controlled within the construction zone.
• Temporary fencing, designated construction access routes, welfare and controlled delivery arrangements are in place, allowing construction activities to remain segregated from the operational areas of the school. Specific planning is required, particularly where specialist plant, structural steelwork and other significant materials have needed to be brought onto site.

Lessons Learned and Project Outcomes

• Key Lessons Learned

  • The importance of coordinating and securing approval for specialist design packages as early as possible, particularly those on the critical path.
  • Delays to the structural steelwork and precast stair packages highlighted the significant impact that outstanding design information and approvals can have on fabrication, installation, and subsequent trades.
  • Greater focus was placed on identifying critical approvals early, improving coordination between the design team and specialist subcontractors, and resequencing available works to minimise programme delays.

  Project Outcomes

  • Successful ongoing coordination was maintained between Gipping Construction, the design team, and specialist subcontractors to ensure design information was suitable for manufacture and installation.
  • A high level of collaboration was required across the structural steelwork, precast stair, external envelope, M&E, and architectural packages to manage interfaces and incorporate design changes effectively.
  • The project team adapted to evolving design requirements by integrating changes into the construction sequence while maintaining progress wherever possible.

  This streamlined approach improved programme management, enhanced cross-discipline coordination, and minimised the overall impact of design-related delays.

Social Value

• One of our Senior Directors gave a presentation to the students about the project and the works taking place at the school. The Head Teacher also attended as well as a large number of students. There was a really good level of engagement, with plenty of questions from the students about the works, how the building was being put together and the different roles involved in the industry. It was a good opportunity for the students to see a live construction project taking place within their own school and actually speak directly to the site team about it, rather than just seeing the works going on behind the hoarding.