Tilbury Douglas has completed the construction of a new-build secondary school – Saddleworth High School – in Diggle, Oldham
The completion of the new build secondary school marks the partnership between Tilbury Douglas Construction, the Department for Education, and Oldham Council to deliver the scheme.
The school was constructed over three storeys, using cloud-based technology and innovative building methods.
The project had significant challenges to overcome, including sloping topography, poor ground conditions, ecological constraints, and sensitive local planning issues.
As part of the construction, cut and fill processes used excavated material to raise the level of the sports field and avoid taking soil off-site.
This prevented material from being sent to landfill, and saved 2,550 vehicle movements and 80t CO2 emissions.
In addition to quality learning and social facilities, the school also features a Breathing Buildings Solution to provide natural ventilation: keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer to boost comfort, health, sustainability and reduce energy costs, meeting BREEAM Very Good standard.
The project, which has been on-site for 83 weeks, achieved a Considerate Constructors Scheme Performance Beyond Compliance award, acknowledging the team’s respect for the community, care for the environment, and value for the workforce.
The social value return on investment for the project is worth over £5.7m, which has been achieved through apprenticeships, educational outreach, supply chain engagement, local employment, and volunteering for the Saddleworth Round Table and Dr. Kershaw’s Hospice.
‘Exceeds the needs of modern school education’
Phil Shaw, divisional director for the North West at Tilbury Douglas, commented: “The completion marks the successful partnership between Tilbury Douglas Construction, the Department for Education and Oldham Council to deliver this pivotal scheme.
“The new school has been designed to accommodate the growing needs of pupils by providing an additional 150 places and it has been tailored to exceed the needs of modern school education provision.”
‘Designed with students at its heart’
Mike Anderson, Headteacher at Saddleworth School, also commented: “We’re all incredibly excited to be moving into our new school.
“Our new building has been designed with students at its heart with state-of-the-art teaching and specialist spaces, brilliant sporting facilities, and fantastic outdoor learning and social areas.”
