I am pleased to advise the Deputy that approval under the Additional School Accommodation scheme issued to the school in question for the provision of 3 x Junior SEN classrooms and 2 x Moderate classrooms.
The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects. The use of the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible. To date, this has worked very well in the education sector and has seen delivery of large scale, high quality modular accommodation to meet the needs of children, particularly those with special educational needs.
Kerrigan Sheanan Newman Construction Consultants (KSN) has been appointed, from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project. This consultant will lead the project through the various stages of planning process and construction. The Department is working closely with the Project Management teams and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible.
The installation project referred commenced on the 29th August and at present works are progressing well. The temporary car park has been completed, the modular accommodation is onsite since the 16th September and the modular reconfiguration works are underway. The overall completion date of the project is programmed by the contractor for the 24th November. Both the Design Team and Project Manager are meeting with the contractor on a weekly basis and the school authority is informed at all stages.
The main project referred is to be delivered as precast modular accommodation, the delay on the project is due to project scale and the need to seek statutory approvals including planning permission, the school authority has been fully briefed on the challenges. A detailed delivery programme will be established once all statutory approvals have been received including expected handover date.
The School Authority has devolved responsibility for delivery of this project.
