Willmott Dixon £24m Midlands schools hat-trick

Willmott Dixon has chalked up a £23.8m contract to enhance three schools in Sandwell in the Midlands.

The projects at Q3 Academy Langley, West Bromwich Collegiate Academy and Bristnall Hall Academy will accommodate an extra 990 students when ready in September 2021.

The facilities, which have been designed with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and ADP Architecture, are being built as part of Sandwell Council’s Schools Capital Programme 2019-2021.

Procured via the Constructing West Midlands Framework, Willmott Dixon’s scope of work to extend the existing teaching accommodation at the schools include providing a theatre, new multi-use hall and completion of all external spaces at Q3 Academy Langley, the completion of a new specialist teaching block, a sports hall and a new sports pitch at West Bromwich Collegiate Academy and the provision of a new stand-alone building comprising of teaching, kitchen and dining facilities at Bristnall Hall Academy.

Michelle Cotterill, Operations Director at Willmott Dixon said: “As with all projects, our goal will be to leave a lasting legacy within the communities we work and are aiming to deliver over £1.2m worth of social value across all three schools by introducing initiatives that include the improvement of staff wellbeing, supporting local people into employment and providing NEETs students with employability skills and training opportunities.

“We will be working closely with Sandwell’s Education, Skills and Employment team to look at local employment and apprenticeships, and our on-site teams will also be providing career guidance, workshops, site tours and mock interviews. We’ll also be hosting work experience placements and supporting the community through initiatives and volunteering opportunities.”

Written by Aaron Morby - Construction Enquirer