Update 28th July 2023

Please see the final ISG Newsletter for July 2023 at the bottom of the page.

 

Update 16th June 2023

Please see the ISG June Newsletter at the bottom of the page.

 

Update 19th May 2023

Please see the file titled Dosthill Progress at the bottom of the page to view images of the progress of the new build classrooms.

 

Update 24th March 2023

Please see ISG March Newsletter at the bottom of the page.

 

Update 12th January 2023

Please see letter from ISG as a pdf document at the bottom of the page

 

Update 14th December 2022

Please see the following message from the DfE:

As you are aware works to construct the new school block at Dosthill Primary Academy unfortunately took an abrupt pause due to the building contractor responsible for delivering the project going into administration Early 2022.  We are pleased to announce an alternative contractor, ISG, has been appointed to continue the project, and are due to recommence the works in January 2023, with an aim to finish the works in October 2023.  You will have already seen some activity on site we have undertaken remedial works to address issues that have arisen over time with the temporary haul road installed by the previous contractor, including safety improvements to the pedestrian crossing points.    A subsequent letter will be issued in the New Year to introduce the new contractor to the community and provide contact details should you have any queries throughout the works period.  We are also in the process of organising with the school a public meeting to be held at the end of January 2023

 

Update 13th September 2022

You may have noticed some activity on the site.  ISG have commenced surveys of the work previously undertaken.  The award of a contract from the DfE is continuing, anticipated to be completed in November.  Once ISG are in contract with the DfE, a community meeting will be held to share the programme of works and to respond to any concerns from local residents or others.  Remedial works are also being undertaken on the matting that covers part of the Broom.  Everyone’s patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.

 

Update 29th June 2022

Currently, the contract between the Department for Education and ISG is being finalised.  Shortly, ISG will be commencing surveys of the site so there will be visible activity.  They plan to use the existing welfare cabinet that is on site.  Work is due to commence at the beginning of October.  However, the DfE are working with ISG to start on site earlier than this if possible.

 

Update: 11th May 2022

The Department for Education continues to actively work with ISG Construction to determine the best way forward and will advise as soon as appropriate when the site will restart.

Realistically, in regards to the materials on site being messy, as these are not dangerous or causing harm to the public, they will remain there until ISG move on to site.  Hopefully, this will be in the none too distant future.

 

Update: 1st April 2022

Please see the statement below regarding the new build:

Following the administration of Midas Construction the Department has taken control of the works site. In order to provide a safe and secure site, the Department has provided 24 hour manned security as well as remote CCTV monitoring; as is the standard expectation for construction sites. More recently, the temporary site perimeter fencing has been upgraded to a more robust solution, which is intended to remain in place until such times as the works are complete. At the point of completion and in accordance with the planning conditions, the temporary works entrance and fencing will be removed and the area returned to its original usage.

 In relation to completing the main works, the Department is pleased to report that it is working collaboratively with a regional contractor – ISG Construction Limited – to determine the best way forward. 

 

Update: 4th February 2022

Please see the statement below issued by the Department of Education regarding the new build:

Following the recent notice of potential administration of our main contractor, Midas, the Department (of Education) has been working with Midas to understand what assistance may be required during this time. One such area highlighted by Midas was the continuation of on-site presence, something which is common place on all construction sites.

 In response, the Department has mobilised the site security seen over the past few days and which is expected to continue over the coming days. Please be assured that this is not in response to a specific concern regarding this site.

... regarding the location of the personnel on site and moving forwards, they will be stationed within the site compound rather than on The Broom/haul road.

 

Update: 11th January 2022

In a meeting held today, it was confirmed that work on site is due to resume this week.  

Concerns expressed by the community regarding the haul road were raised.  Representatives from the Department for Education and other partners will remind Midas of their obligations and the expectations regarding the maintenance and cleanliness of the haul road entrance and surrounding area.

We look forward to seeing more of the building emerge over coming weeks.

 

Update: January 2022

Following a few weeks of inactivity, work has now resumed on the new building. You will be aware from the media the challenges regarding supplies and securing the services of sub-contractors due to the impact of Covid. We have been reassured that work will continue at pace now. There will of course be a pause during the Christmas break. However, due to the security issues experienced previously, there will be a presence on the site over this period. The building is due to be completed during the early part of the summer with the existing buildings removed during June 2022. Current work is focused on the steel frame system, drainage, the floor screed and the gas membrane/insulation. Furthermore, bat surveys are going to be undertaken on the mobile classrooms that are being replaced. We look forward to seeing the progress over the next few weeks.

Tony Hand

Vice-CEO for the Fierté Trust

 

May 2021 Building Update

We are delighted to be able to provide you with an update on the status of the new build for Dosthill Primary Academy. It was confirmed yesterday (Wednesday 5th May) that the project will commence on Monday 10th May. This is such great news for the children of Dosthill Primary who will benefit from the six classroom building which will replace three of our mobile blocks. The new classrooms will ensure that our children will have access to a bright, more spacious, well maintained and inspiring learning environment.

The project (which is part of the Department for Education - Priority School Building programme) has been in development for ten years and we thank everyone who has been involved in ensuring that the fabric of our school building is secured for current and future generations of children.

Below is an overview of the imminent work that will take place and we will keep you updated on a regular basis via ParentMail, Twitter and the school website about developments. I'm sure our children will enjoy tracking the progress of the build and learning more about construction in the process too.

• Next week, temporary fencing will be erected within the build area, with permanent fencing following shortly after so that the construction area will be safe and secure for all.
• Two temporary cabins will also be placed next to the Children's Centre building to support the work force.
• Between the 13th-17th May, matting (creating the temporary road) will be laid for the plant machines to access the site.
• A banksman will be on site daily to accept all deliveries and ensure safety for all.

As soon as we have the confirmed time frames for the entire project, we will share this also via Twitter and our school website so that the community and parents/carers are fully updated on the progress of the build.

 

Parent, Carer and Residents meeting - August 20th 2020

Thank you to parents/carers and local residents for joining our meeting last Thursday. It was a very positive meeting to share our ambitions to work closely with the local community to ensure that the building project is delivered in a fair, mutually respectful and considered way. As a school, three of our key values are empathy, kindness and generosity and we will ensure that these are at the heart of the project. We will be working closely as a school and Trust to ensure that the construction team (Midas) follow all planning stipulations in order that the Broom and local residents are not impacted upon negatively. We really care about all aspects of the local area and our neighbours/local residents and want to work as a close community to bring about a successful project.

The minutes of the meeting are within the document section. We are really looking forward to meeting the local community regularly during the year ahead to ensure that everyone's thoughts, feelings, compliments or concerns are shared so that excellent communication leads to a smooth and successful building project.

I know that the children at our school are also very keen to ensure that the wildlife, plants, trees and landscape is disturbed as little as possible. Again, this is something that will guide our liaison with the building team so that the Broom is restored with care once the building work has been completed.

 

August 2020 Building Update.

We thought that it would be useful to share with parents/carers and residents an update regarding the new build and roofing work at our school.

The new build was expected to commence during early September however this is currently delayed due to some of the pre-commencement conditions not being fully finalised yet.  We will update everyone via the web page as soon as we know the exact dates that the project will begin; we are hopeful that everything will be in place imminently so that the exciting project can commence.

 

July 2020 Buildings Update

Dosthill Academy and the Fierté Trust are pleased that planning permission has been granted for the building of six classrooms on its site replacing mobile classrooms that are no longer fit for purpose.  We look forward to building work starting later this year and the classrooms being open in readiness for the 2021 academic year.  We very much appreciate the concerns of residents including those relating to the temporary haul road that will cross the Broom.  Our commitment is to work with the community and local residents to ensure the impact of building works is minimised and, as far as feasibly possible, concerns are responded to.  With this in mind, we are inviting local community groups such as the Residents' Association and others to meet with us at regular intervals.  

The Victorian roof area will also be undergoing improvement work during the next three months due to internal ceiling collapses, tile movement and leaks.

Approximate Time Frame For New Build

September – Haul Road Construction (Currently delayed)

November – Brickwork begins

January – Roofing

February – Building watertight

February – May: Internal fitting

End of May: Completion

June: Site cleared

July: Mobiles demolished and site cleared.

 

Priority School Building Project and Condition Improvement Fund

During the next two years, we have a range of improvement work taking place at our school to ensure that we have a safe and inspiring learning environment for the children of Dosthill Primary Academy. We are extremely excited to see the transformation of our school; it is very exciting for our whole community and the children of Dosthill.

Three of the mobiles are being replaced (six classrooms) with a new brick built building as part of the DFE Priority School Building Programme. The mobile classrooms are extremely old which is why they have been acknowledged as a priority build; we are very much looking forward to the new build project starting this academic year (2020).

As a school, we are also very fortunate to have won a CIF (Condition Improvement Fund) grant to improve several areas around school. The Victorian roof is currently being re-tiled due to the poor condition of this which is deteriorating very rapidly. Also, the flat roof areas over the hall and kitchen are being replaced. In addition to roofing work, the funding has also been agreed in order to replace the remaining mobile next to the Children’s Centre.

Our children really deserve the safest and highest quality learning environments; the fact that we have gained funding for all of these projects via the Priority School Building Fund or Condition Improvement Fund really shows how necessary these projects are. The school environment is being enhanced for the wonderful children who really do deserve the very best learning environments in line with our vision of ‘Ensuring Excellence for All.’

Information will be updated on this page, monthly. Please also check the attachments below for more information.