Client

KIER

Location

Weston-Super-Mare

Package Value

£4M

Sector

Education

The New Winterstoke Hundred Academy, transforming a greenfield site into a modern net-zero secondary school for 900 pupils.

[Image credit: AHR ]

Overview

Winterstoke’s Academy was a new secondary school where Solum cooperated with KIER. Solum provided the groundworks on the former RAF Locking recreational grounds. With our support, the site transformed into a modern education facility. At the time work was first initiated, the neighbouring farmers’ fields were still filled with crops, but these would eventually become the future sports pitches for the students. Solum played a pivotal role in the groundworks package, and the building was successfully completed in November 2023. We completed the following work:

  • Earthworks & Material Management
  • Foundations, Retaining Walls, & Drainage
  • Structural & Interior Elements
  • External Works & Finishing Touches

Challenges

The Winterstoke academy was not without its share of challenges for Solum. Notable hurdles included:

  • Root Protection Zone

    To repurpose neighbouring fields into sports pitches, a cell web access track was constructed through a root protection zone. The cell web track allowed site vehicles to navigate through the root protection zone, ensuring the safety of the existing natural environment while facilitating the progression of earthworks.

  • Overhead Cables

    The presence of overhead cables posed a significant challenge, with material being stockpiled strategically until they could be diverted by Western Power. Efficient stockpiling strategies were implemented to ensure the material’s readiness for redistribution once Western Power diverted the overhead cables.

  • Environmental Considerations & Habitat Creation

    Balancing construction needs with environmental preservation required Solum to adhere to ecological guidelines. We created attenuation ponds and new habitat zones, ensuring a commitment to sustainable construction.

Key Results

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2,400m³

of concrete poured
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1,500m

of drainage laid
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3,300m²

of concrete floor slabs constructed
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750m³

of material excavated
img

16,800t

of aggregates placed
img

60t

of tarmac laid

Client: Kier

A strategic supplier to the UK Government with key strengths in education, healthcare, custodial, transport, and defence. For around 100 years, they have worked on vital infrastructure supporting communities.