The relationship we established with the head teacher Liam Jackson has been vital to the successful delivery of the works within this busy primary school. We asked Liam to write us a brief report outlining how he works collaboratively with Hobson & Porter to identify and overcome the issues involved in working in a busy school environment:
Pre commencement: We took a detailed look at how our school operates with H&P, to fully understand how the school works. We discussed the strengths & weaknesses of the site (2 drives, deliveries, curriculum, field, shared site with adjoining childrens centre and special school etc). From this, we changed the initial location of H&P’s site in the school. A letter was sent out to ALL local residents signed by the school and H&P to explain what was going to happen.
Detailed Health & safety walks/talks took place – and have been added to and changed on a daily basis if an issue has arisen from either the school or H&P.
The governors were fully involved, especially the Chair and H&S Governor, who are updated on a weekly basis by the Head.
Partners – a close working relationship was developed with Home Start/Children’s Centre on site, as the start of the build had huge impact on their access and parking. Success proved – no complaints at all (and actually, since project started, only one complaint sent in due to a mains electric cable being clipped in the early days!)
Children – 2 special assemblies were held with H&P, with H&S focus, and a competition to design posters agreed and £10 vouchers donated to the winners of each class (14 in total!) Both assemblies were great – and children felt part of the project and now take full interest in it. Again – down to good communication.
OFSTED – due to new “safe guarding” issues introduced in Sept 2009, this became a BIG issue. H&P worked very closely with the School Business Manager to ensure children, parents and the school were safe. Over a very short period, this was all achieved by H&S meetings, site walks and lots of new signage being made by H&P. Flexibility on both sides was crucial
Xmas – the school arranged Christmas lunch for H&P and contractors as goodwill measure as we all work so well together.
Press – we’ve been in the local papers 3 times now – where H&P were praised for their work – all good publicity and makes parents and partners feel that a good job is being done!
Changes – there were plenty of changes to plans, especially by the school, as the project progressed. As the site manager has worked so well with us, this again has helped the project to operate smoothly!
Workmen – though they do not have much to do with the children, they are in school in numbers. As they are all so pleasant, children really take no notice of them (even though they “know” them now) which is great.
Therefore, the key has been to work well together, develop strong relationships and all be flexible in plans, discussions and outcomes. This we have done, and though a big potentially very disruptive project, we have all kept disruption down to a minimum. Key to our success with H&P has been site manager, Mr Brian Wilson – who has been truly fantastic and a credit to H&P. On our side, my senior business manager, Tina Garland, has been superb and thrown herself into the project completely. This needs to happen – one key link in the school who the head trusts completely to work with the site manager. Do this and you get success!!!!! (Liam Jackson – Head)
