Offsite construction specialist,The McAvoy Group, has craned the final modules into position on site at the new Concordia Academy in Romford for a new building to accommodate 630 primary school children.

The structure for the 2972m2 free school was manufactured offsite by McAvoy using the latest modular technology to reduce the build programme, minimise disruption and improve quality.

The 67 steel-framed building modules were craned into position in just 12 days, on the site of a former nurses’ home in Romford. A 300-tonne crane was used to lift the modules which are up to 16.5m long and weigh up to 17 tonnes.

Funded by the Department for Education via the Education and Skills Funding Agency, and designed by Blue Sky Architects, the new academy will create an exemplar learning environment for local children and much needed primary school places. It will be operated by REAch2 Academy Trust – the UK’s largest primary only academy trust.

Antony Baxter, Project Director at the Education and Skills Funding Agency said, “Delivery and installation of the modules is a key milestone for the project which is another step towards meeting the rising demand for school places in Romford for the start of the 2018/19 academic year. The infrastructure works, ground preparation, and specifically the modular units have been well planned and all the modules were installed quickly and efficiently. Offsite construction is helping to manage a tight programme in a constrained location.”

Raymond Millar, Construction Director at The McAvoy Group, said, “The use of offsite construction has created a watertight building envelope at a much earlier stage in the building project. This approach is safer and cleaner for the other trades working on the site and is not dependent on the weather – an important benefit during the winter months.”

Due to open in September 2018, this new state-of-the-art primary school will have a contemporary design which combines strong lines, bold geometric shapes and a palette of materials using red brick, timber-effect cladding, render and high levels of glazing.

Facilities will include 14 classrooms, a music and drama studio, main hall with adjacent smaller hall, full catering kitchen, activity room, small group learning rooms, staff room and administration offices.