School Holidays are the Perfect Time For Building Projects: Here's Why
School holidays offer the perfect time for educational building projects, as they minimise disruption, maximise safety, and ensure timely project completion. Clive Graham Associates (CGA) has successfully taken advantage of this period to complete significant works across several schools, including St Louis Catholic Primary, Ark Globe Academy, Park View School, Marylebone Boys' School, and Wentworth Primary School.
Minimise Disruption, Maximise Results
During term time, construction projects can interfere with a school's daily operations. Noise, restricted access, and safety concerns can all impact both teaching and learning. By scheduling projects over the school holidays, CGA ensures that construction is carried out without interrupting the school’s activities.
For example, Park View School saw its sports hall undergo recladding and remedial works, including the removal of non-compliant wall cladding and extension to the AHU platform. These works were carefully scheduled during the summer break to minimize any disruption to summer clubs or activities.
Enhanced Safety During Construction
Holiday construction projects provide an added layer of safety. With students and staff off-site, contractors can work more efficiently and safely. This is especially crucial for projects requiring major structural work, such as Wentworth Primary School, where CGA replaced a storm-damaged roof and installed a sprung gym floor and a new heating system.
Similarly, Ark Globe Academy benefitted from crucial upgrades to its toilet facilities across three floors, which included both strip-out and fit-out works. By completing this during the holidays, CGA ensured a safe environment for all involved while preparing the school for the new academic year.
Time-Efficient and Cost-Effective Solutions
The unoccupied site during holidays allows projects to proceed without delays, ensuring that works are completed on time and within budget. For example, at Marylebone Boys' School, CGA commenced remodelling works to create a dedicated autism unit. The installation of partitions, ceilings, and new fittings was completed just in time for the new school term.
This time-efficient approach also applied to St Louis Catholic Primary School, where CGA transformed an unused courtyard into valuable teaching space over the holidays, enhancing the school’s facilities without disrupting term-time learning.
Recent Success Stories by Clive Graham Associates
CGA’s recent projects demonstrate the advantages of holiday scheduling for educational construction projects:
- St Louis Catholic Primary School, Aylesbury: Transformed a former courtyard into a new teaching space.
- Ark Globe Academy, Southwark: Completed toilet upgrades across three floors during the break.
- Park View School, Haringey: Undertook recladding and remedial works to the sports hall.
- Marylebone Boys' School, Paddington: Created a dedicated autism unit ready for the new school term.
- Wentworth Primary School, Dartford: Replaced a storm-damaged roof and installed modern gym facilities.
Why School Holidays Are the Best Time for Construction
Planning building projects during school holidays offers schools the chance to complete major upgrades without disrupting learning. Whether it’s replacing outdated infrastructure or adding new facilities, CGA’s projects show how construction during holidays can enhance educational spaces while ensuring safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
By utilising holiday periods, Clive Graham Associates has successfully delivered modern, safe, and energy-efficient facilities, helping schools like St Louis Catholic Primary and Park View School start the new academic year with enhanced learning environments.
