Building 21st Century schools and our relationship with Morgan Sindall

Shufflebottom is thrilled to announce that we’ve once again been commissioned by our long-term partner, Morgan Sindall Construction, to deliver the steel-work for 3 brand new state-of-the art schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) south Wales.

Part of the Morgan Sindall Group, Morgan Sindall Construction is one of the UK’s most respected organisations in construction and regeneration of the built environment. At its heart is the commitment to tackle climate change and create social value through energy-efficient buildings. Its mission statement puts its business objective as ‘place-making with purpose’.

With this at the fore, plus a trusted track record in delivering schools fit for 21st century use, it is little wonder that Morgan Sindall was selected as the lead to bring about facilities of excellence at each of these 3 schools that have secured Welsh Government funding based on the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) of sustainable communities, enabling in total, £500 million investment in schools across Wales.

The model requires schools to be fully accessible and for their facilities to be brought up to standards compatible with this millennium. Each development will target Net Zero carbon in operation and will benefit from first-class learning environments and much-improved outdoor spaces.

Work on the three schools began in December 2022 and the schools will open between 2024 and 2025.

Shufflebottom is delivering the hot-rolled steel for the following projects:

1. E14518 Llanilltud Faerdref Primary, RCT

This is a single-story building for nursery, reception, 4 x infant classes and 5 x junior classes with a ‘heartspace’ consisting of a main hall with various supporting facilities. Externally, there are 2 x MUGAs, a sports’ field, 5-a-side facilities and a sports’ track. It also incorporates a Sustainable Urban Drainage System and 23 designated parking spaces (including 4 EV charging spaces) and space for cycle storage.

This is an unusual project, as ARUP the Engineers introduced a Passivhaus system to the insulation of the building, consisting of thermal breaks to the underneath of the column base plates, something we have never seen before. This was done to insulate from heat loss through the steelwork to foundations connection. Again we rose to the challenge and added-value.

We are delivering 100 tonnes of hot-rolled steel, 9 no. Engineer Schoeck thermal breaks (an unusual product) and 87 no. thermal breaks to the columns.

 2. E14533 Penygawsi Primary, RCT

This is a 2-storey building comprising 2 x nursery classes, 1 reception class, 3 x infant classes and 6 x junior classes along with the ‘heartspace’ MUGAs, and designated parking and sustainable features as Llanilltud Faerdref.

We are delivering 123 tonnes of hot-rolled steel, 8. no. Engineer Schoeck thermal breaks, and 77 no. thermal breaks to the columns.

3. Pontyclun Primary School, RC

When it opens in 2025, this 2-storey building will accommodate 2 x nursery classes, 2 x reception classes, 5 x infant classes, 9 x junior classes, a central ‘heartspace’ area and a main hall with supporting areas. A variety of sports and recreation facilities will be provided externally, including hard play areas, 2 x MUGAs and informal grass areas. Two car park areas will support 40 spaces into total (10% of which will include EV charging) and space for cycle storage.

We will update the details of the project reference and structural steel tonnage we deliver as the project develops.

Shufflebottom is justifiably proud of this commission of size, scope and sustainability, with Morgan Sindall Construction and proud that it will play its part in building the new landscape of education and sustainable communities in Wales.