Halcyon Way School

The Covid-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge, with initial delays due to lockdown restrictions. Tilbury Douglas worked closely with the DfE to implement strict Covid-safe working practices, allowing the project to proceed safely and efficiently. The team also mitigated supply chain disruptions by proactively managing procurement and, where necessary, deploying an in-house team to complete key packages, reducing risks of delays.

Another key challenge was working within a constrained budget while maintaining high standards. Through close collaboration with the DfE and the use of Good Practice Documents, the team successfully delivered a high specification SEND school without exceeding financial constraints. Vacuum excavation was also introduced to prevent service strikes on an adjacent road, a best practice that has since been adopted across Tilbury Douglas projects.

The project achieved significant social value outcomes, with 89% of spend allocated to local suppliers and 100% directed towards SME businesses. Despite pandemic restrictions limiting in person engagement, the project delivered a 38% social value return on investment. Sustainability was also a priority, with the use of best practice groundwork design to prevent water accumulation and ensure a safe, accessible environment for students and staff.

The attention to detail in SEND specific elements, such as pathway and drainage design, ensured an inclusive, high quality facility tailored to students’ needs. By implementing rigorous Covid safety measures, including on-site testing and deep cleaning, the project safeguarded workers and ensured timely delivery. The successful completion of Halcyon Way SEND School has provided a lasting positive impact on the local community by expanding essential SEND school capacity in Oldham.