Interserve has marked a key stage in the construction of the new Cedars Academy in Birstall, Leicestershire, with a topping out ceremony
To mark the occasion school principal Laura Sanchez was raised on a cherry picker to place a cedar bough on the final steel beam of the building which signed in commemoration of this key stage in the building’s progress.
Mrs Sanchez was accompanied by pupils and staff, a team from Interserve and representatives from the Department for Education (DFE) to witness the ceremony as part of the traditional builders’ rite to mark when the last beam is placed atop a structure.
Mrs Sanchez said: “This is a really exciting time for The Cedars Academy. The development on the site is going to make a huge difference to all our learners and the local community. Seeing the Science block taking shape is an inspiring sight knowing that a state-of-the-art facility will be available for all our pupils to learn in.”
The £5.6m project, delivered by the Interserve’s East Midlands construction team, will see the design and development of a new secondary education teaching block and the refurbishment of the existing Stonehill building.
This award continues Interserve’s partnership with the DFE. In 2017, Interserve secured a place on all eight lots in the mid-value band of the ESFA new £8bn construction framework and has worked with the ESFA for more than 20 years having successfully delivered more than 30 Priority School Building Programme and Free School projects.
Richard Scarrott, divisional director at Interserve Construction, said: “We are delighted to mark this significant progress in this development with school staff and pupils by placing a cedar branch in the Cedar Academy as part of the topping out ceremony while showcasing the work we are doing on behalf of the academy to deliver a greatly improved school with excellent facilities.”
Interserve has significant experience in delivering world-class special education facilities. This latest contract win follows similar projects in Bristol, Hereford and Manchester demonstrating Interserve Construction’s core capability to deliver first-class facilities to support the pupil’s learning experience.
