Schools

• Bonus Pastor Catholic College (2 sites)
• Conisborough College
• Deptford Green School
• Drumbeat Primary School (special needs)
• Prendergast Vale School
• Sedgehill Academy
• Trinity All Through School (Secondary Phase)

Works Delivered

• Like-for-like internal & external redecoration, including for various access equipment
• Flooring replacements – carpet, vinyl, cap & cove, screed, stair nosings
• Carpentry – decking, sleepers, boxing replacements, bespoke furniture/equipment construction
• Science lab installations

Solution

This contract required the use and coordination of numerous tradespeople with different specialisations; our comprehensive offering meant the client rarely needed to engage with other suppliers. As quotes were often requested by the client at short notice, and with limited information provided to guide the estimate, we produced quotes based on a combination of statistical and analogous estimating methods, using our experience with similar projects as a baseline for costs. Best practice change control was then used for any further changes to the quoted works.

Challenges

A significant challenge in delivering this contract was the extremely tight deadlines given by the client. We met these deadlines by using agile resourcing, whereby we increased our workforce at short notice via approved and vetted self-employed subcontractors, rearranged our schedule, and rebooked other works to free up Kiasu engineers as required, with weekend working arranged where necessary.

Innovation & Added Value

We have proposed and introduced several bespoke solutions for work requests (approx… 10% of total works). For example, we designed and procured bespoke aluminium roof capping sections to rectify storm wind damage. As there was no O&M information available, we fabricated them based on dimensions and data taken from original capping sections. We also removed a fence which had been poorly installed by a previous contractor and replaced it with a picket fence with custom brickwork and steps. The existing fence panels were repurposed to form finger-guards for a larger perimeter fence, ensuring minimal waste was produced.

Compliance & Training

As a school site, all engineers had enhanced DBS checks and underwent additional safeguarding toolbox talks. All were trained and competent in IPAF, compliant with Kier site H&S policies, and were issued staircase-specific PASMA training as requested by the site.

Risk Management

Drumbeat School caters for children on the autism spectrum and having behavioural disorders. All RAMS therefore needed to consider a range of additional considerations, such as robust segregation of work areas, planning work so as not to coincide with pupil presence on site, and ensuring installed products were ‘harm-proofed’ by checking and eliminating sharp edges, climbable points, and bare woods to remove splinter risks.