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Students finish for the holidays
01.06.2012
15:00 -
16:00
Students return from the holidays
11.06.2012
08:00 -
09:00
Students finish End of the academy year
20.07.2012
15:00 -
16:00
New Build Progress
Over the last couple of weeks the new build has been getting a coat of purple as seen from the picture below. This is a view from one of the open learning zone balconies looking out onto the main entrance of the new academy.
The building works for the new home of The Oldham Academy North started in June 2011 and we are scheduled to have our brand new completed state-of-the-art building by April 2013. Each week as the work progress we will be posting new photographs with descriptions of the work as it develops. Keep watching as work is progressing fast!
In the past four weeks we have been focussing on forming the new entrance road, site compound and also forming a stone mat on the building footprint. This will then allow us to install our site cabins and also commence foundations.
The construction plant used for the bulk excavation - Not shown is the dump truck.
After the cutting and filling has been done, the construction matt is installed, a 300 thick layer of crushed brick imported onsite to create a clean and stable platform for the other trades to work off of
Some ground improvement was required due to the conditions, in this instance vibro compacted stone columns, this picture shows the plant used
With the construction matt and vibro works completed the foundations can now begin, the steel frame will require holding down bolts installing in the foundations, in this picture is one type/set of holding down bolt arrangement, ready for installing in the foundations, in this one the bolts are 600mm long or just over 23.5" and contains 12, thankfully of the 134 sets of bolts required for the steel frame, only 2 of these type are required
With the foundations complete and cured the steel frame and begin, in this picture the first column is erected.
They keep going up
The First Beam being installed, which will support the metal decking/floor construction: -
The Steel Frame continues: -
A view from inside the building, showing the metal decking loaded out and awaiting distribution/fixing to form the permanent shuttering for the upper floors and part of the floors structure: -
A view of the frame, which faces onto Broadway, will be around the main entrance area when finished: -
A typical day/view from the office: -
More of the steel frame arriving onsite and being unloaded(view from the all weather pitch: -
Column encasement below slab level in preparation for preparing for the ground floor slab: -
D5 and Grade Laser working on the all weather pitch formation; this machine will ensure the correct grade and level are achieved by automatically adjusting the blade of the machine as required : -
Third instalment of picture showing the works currently underway on site:
Works are now underway on the deep surface water drainage connection and the attenuation tank:
One of the Pre cast Concrete Stairs being installed:
Pictures of the Attenuation Tank:
Reduced level dig, sand blinding and laying of the geo textile membrane to seal the completed tank from the ingress of silts etc, all the joints are heat sealed/welded.
Picture of the completed tank, partially backfilled:
Picture of the manhole box (temporary works) removed, was used to support the ground whilst excavating for the deep surface water manhole and ensuring the safety of the operatives who had to enter the excavation to work.
(The picture does not truly demonstrate its size)
Finally the beginning of the steel frame for the Agora, showing some of the to be exposed and visible columns
All weather Sports pitch drainage ongoing:
Steel Frame: Agora (atrium) frame currently on going, the large span roof level beams being installed:
Upper floor Construction, First floor Admin, netted and decked, edge trims under way:
Admin block second floor, netted and decking ongoing:
A view from Broadway of the site entrance at the site of Our Lady’s RC School.
Stud welding of the first and second floor of what on site we refer to as the Admin Block:
The shear studs form the connection between the steel frame – primary and secondary beams and the composite concrete floor. Reinforcing and Mesh or in this case the fibres in the concrete which we will be using as a replacement for mesh fabric tie in the concrete floor/steel frame.
Drawing showing the beam, signed as part of the beam signing.
Facts and Figure:
Beam number 9060 signed as part of the beam signing ceremony
Total weight of beam 9060 67kg’s
Forms part of lot number 9.
Total number of lots 15
Total weight of lot 9 21.938 tonnes
Currently in 5th week of steel erection
Lot Plan, showing all the lots
Collette Burgess Principal and Sir Bruce Liddington the director General of E-ACT the sponsor for the Academy – signing the beam with the children in the background.
The completed signed beam:
Beam lifted from its platform to be transported to the crane for the onlookers to watch. Beam on its way, watched by the crowd:
Two cranes on site both today and yesterday, both 40 tonnes, the first crane working on erecting lots 10 and 11 and the associated cold roll steelwork which supports the roof and the second has been installing the 2 number steel staircases in the atrium(agora) and the associated steelwork required/omitted to allow installation:
Crane working On Lot 10: (image from All-weather Pitch)
One of the steel stair cases shortly after installation:
Finally a view from inside the Agora (Atrium) as the steelwork is installed prior to the installation of the second steel stair case.
Steelwork continues to be erected and on Friday the penultimate concrete staircase was installed as part of lot 11:
On the Admin block works have started on installing the gas barrier/membrane, prior to the under slab insulation and mesh, in preparation for pouring.
Finally the no fines type 1(sub base) has begun being imported on to site, and laid out using the D5 and Grade laser to ensure the required accuracy is obtained.
Another update on the works ongoing on site, more technical details in this post I’m afraid.
I thought in this post I’d give a little more information about the stud welding pictured previously and the concrete which is being utilised in the upper floors construction:
The pictures below show the ceramic collet and shear stud, the pictures previously have showed the stud welding process, but don’t really help give an appreciation of size show I’ve picture the stud and collet with a 2 pence coin to give an idea of the size.
On the upper floors the concrete mix utilised will contain steel fibres to remove the need to install fabric mesh which results in a time saving which allows works onsite to be accelerated. The picture below shows just one fibre with a 2 pence coin again to help understand the scale.
Some additional reinforcement is still required however the fibres remove the requirement for the fabric mesh.
Today saw the first concrete pour of one of the upper floor slabs: in this case the first floor of what onsite we refer to as the admin block. A 31 metre concrete pump was utilised to reach the first floor and provide sufficient reach into the building: Concrete pump set up (remote controlled arm):
The view of the arm on the floor:
Operatives placing concrete:
Completed section of the still wet concrete, yet to be finished utilising power floats:
Should you have any issues or comments please feel free to contact the site team who will be happy to speak to you.
Mike Walmsley
Building Manager
New Build Stage 2
Since our last update we have been focussing on getting the foundations in ready for steelwork. All of the building foundations have now been cast and steel will be on site at the beginning of October.
During this phase of works there will be an increase in traffic however we will do our best to mitigate this by planning deliveries for off peak times.
The entrance to site has now been widened and the site hoarding is now erected. On here you will find updates and details of our team
The last of the foundations have now been poured. The bolts you can see are the holding down bolts. The steel columns will be stood on these pads
Staff and students at The Oldham Academy North are very excited to see the progress with the new build. Recently staff have been asked about their teaching spaces and even the position of their desks! We are keen to continue to work closely with the construction company and the local community. If there is anything you wish to discuss with us or if you want to learn more about the academy then please get in touch.
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We know the good weather won’t stay for long so we have a wheel wash facility on site and are able to call off road sweepers when required to ensure Broadway stays clean.
In the next newsletter we will be able to show you how the structure is taking shape.
Should you have any issues or comments please feel free to contact the site team who will be happy to speak to you.
Mike Walmsley
Building Manager
A Building For The Future
Principal Colette Burgess speaks personally about her plans for the new academy in Royton
The Oldham Academy North Preview Video
This video is aimed at year 7 students and especially for the new year 7 students that will arrive in September
Have a look at what your new academy in royton will look like when its built in 2013
“Right from the start, when planning for The Oldham Academy North I had a clear idea of what I thought a well-educated young person should be and that was based on my own expectations for my son’s education. I was determined to make sure that the academy would be good enough for everyone’s children. We have to have high aspirations and expectations, deliver good examination results in the right subjects and ensure that our students can articulate their ideas in writing. They should be able to speak confidently to anyone and be comfortable around people who are different. They should recognise their duty to make a positive contribution to their family, community and society. There is a strong culture of that here in Oldham and certainly amongst our families - they want their children to have better opportunities than they did and to put something back”.
The Oldham Academy North will relocate to a brand new state-of-the-art building in Royton in 2013. The Principal is confident that the transition will be successful and that the academy will be a world-class institution with an intake that reflects all the communities of Oldham and their values. She believes that her constant and consistent drive to improve examination results, set higher standards and challenge to the community to support school improvement will lead to success. She is in no doubt that the academy will be oversubscribed by 2013.
“It is my job to prove to families that they can trust their child’s future to the academy. Excellent examination results are just the start. Examination results are the passport to the next stage, to college, training, university and work. We have a duty to ensure that our students achieve what they are capable of and our targets are based on what we know students can do – often more than they believe they can.
have a duty to ensure that our students achieve what they are capable of and our targets are based on what we know students can do – often more than they believe they can.
In 2012, I expect well over 60% of academy students to achieve 5 good GCSEs including English and Maths. There isn’t anyone working in education who doesn’t want the very best for their students. It is my job to convince families that the academy will deliver day in, day out on that promise.”
What can the community of Royton expect from The Oldham Academy North? “A brand new building on a site that will also house brand new and refurbished sports facilities. That will include a cricket pitch and facilities for netball, hockey and of course football. I have challenged the architects to provide a large flexible space to accommodate students and staff for weekly whole-academy assembly. The space will also be able to accommodate a number of small groups. This will be a fantastic resource for both the academy and the wider community.
It is important for visitors and the local community to feel welcome. The academy and its buildings will be a community resource. I want people to feel part of it and feel that it belongs to them. I don’t want high fences and unnecessary security features that make the community feel excluded.
A school is not just a building and education is much more than the bricks and mortar in which it is delivered. What matters is high quality teaching and learning every lesson, every day. I want high standards, strong pastoral care and strong discipline every day. I want our students to know that we have invested in them and that we care about their future. A world class academy in a state-of-the-art building is no more than they deserve.
