Earlier this year McAvoy Group was named as the preferred bidder under the Framework Agreement for the Education Funding Agency (EFA). Since then the Northern-Ireland-based off-site construction specialists have been awarded nine prestigious contracts with a combined value of £26M.
The projects include a school for children with Autism, a number of new secondary schools, a new primary School and a new sixth form centre in various locations across England. McAvoy has been awarded the contract to design, manufacture and build the new schools.
McAvoy Group uses modern methods of construction and innovative technologies to build smart schools in reduced time frames and with minimum disruption on-site. With vast experience in the education sector, McAvoy has also been chosen as Principal Contractor for these new schools managing every aspect of the projects including landscaping and the superior interior finishes. Orla Corr OBE, Business Development Director, McAvoy Group, said:
“Our school building solutions recognise the need for thoughtfully planned, comfortable, safe surroundings conducive to teaching and our experienced team ensure each client’s specific needs are met. We are delighted to have been awarded these significant contracts; this week marks a key milestone for our company’s affiliation with the EFA with the delivery on-site of our first EFA school – Thames Valley School.”
Due to open in September, Thames Valley School will cater for up to 50 children with autism (including Asperger syndrome) aged 4 to 16 years. The school will provide a specialist education for children whose previous placements have been in jeopardy, and those who have not found appropriate education within a reasonable distance of their home. Orla continues:
“The building will be on two floors, separating primary school and secondary school pupils and will feature specialist classrooms for art, science, food technology and design technology. There will also be chill-out spaces and calm rooms to help reduce anxiety and individual work stations to maximise learning opportunities. The small number of pupils who have extremely challenging behaviour and complex needs will be able to access the school via a dedicated entrance. Here, facilities will include individual tutor rooms, soft play and sensory rooms, and a skills base where pupils will learn independent living skills.”
This week the Government confirmed which schools will receive an extra £820m under its Targeted Basic Need programme. Orla concludes:
“We welcome this news which will provide some relief for a number of schools across England that are struggling to cope with the pressure of increasing pupil places demands. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome school representatives and local authorities to get in touch with McAvoy Group so that we can share our wealth of experience in delivering projects on time and within budget in the education sector.
“Our off-site building technology helps to deliver educational facilities within a reduced time-frame and with significantly less disruption on-site. We would be pleased to show interested parties first-hand our capabilities at managing these large-scale projects. A member of our dedicated customer service team is on the end of the phone to help; you can contact them on 0845 076 0100.”