Concertus Monthly Round Up – January

As we embrace 2025, we reflect on what we got up to in January. Our goals and aspirations remain consistent this year. Our commitment to sustainability and investing in our team remains strong. Every year presents new challenges, but our team’s passion for positively impacting the communities in which we deliver projects is undeniable.

We are thrilled to see our projects’ incredible progress this year, especially since we have only just begun. We hope you enjoy reading this update!.

Concertus returns to Thurston CEVCP School to expand facilities
We are excited to announce that we are working with Suffolk County Council and the school’s leaders to expand Thurston CEVC Primary Academy and Pre-School further. The new project will deliver an additional 210-place detached block, a 30-place extension to the Pre-School, and internal refurbishment of part of the existing primary school building. We look forward to sharing the progress of this project with you.

Consultation of new expansion receives positive feedback
The consultation to expand Stowmarket High School took place in January. A drop-in session was held to discuss the proposal, and representatives from the school, Suffolk County Council, and Concertus attended.

The proposed expansion includes the construction of a new two-storey teaching block that will house 11 classrooms, a group room, a new hall, and new toilet facilities. Additionally, existing spaces, including the current hall and the former sixth-form area, will be reconfigured within the main building. We are pleased to be working with Barnes Construction on this project and look forward to sharing updates on our progress.

Progress at new Walsall Household Waste Recycling Centre
Fantastic progress is being made with Morgan Sindall Construction to create a new Household Waste Recycling Centre on Middlemore Lane in Aldridge, Walsall.

All buildings and underground services have been erected, and the Waste Transfer Station’s roof, including the installation of the PV panels, is complete. Work to fit the internal walls of the Reuse shop and Welfare Office is progressing in the coming weeks.

New case studies!
The new Chapel Hill Primary School in Basildon is fully electric and is part of Essex County Council’s plan to create new schools to be Net Zero in operation. We worked with Barnes Construction to deliver this new school. Read our new case study here.

With a project cost of £13.5m, we worked with SMD Ltd for Central Bedfordshire Council to deliver the new Fulbrook School expansion in Bedfordshire. Read the case study here.

We worked with Henry Brothers for Derbyshire County Council on the new Glossopdale Community College building in Derbyshire. Read the new case study here.

We are privileged to have worked with Suffolk County Council and Barnes Construction to create the new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) building at Sybil Andrews Academy in Bury St Edmunds. Read the new case study here.

Meet our Principal Project Manager – Robert Lee
Rob oversees three project managers and supports the entire PM, Estates, and Development team. His role requires a balance of leadership, support, and accountability. On a day-to-day basis, he assists the team with problem-solving, offers advice, addresses concerns, and collaborates with broader leadership to foster a cohesive and well-rounded team that strives to be the best for our clients.

Recently, we had the opportunity to meet with Rob to discuss his career journey, what attracted him to Concertus upon his move to Suffolk, and his experiences since joining our team. Read the full article here.

Congratulations Katerina Nikodimou!
One of our architects, Katerina has recently earned her Passivhaus Designer qualification. We are excited for Katerina to apply this knowledge to our projects, engage in conversations with our clients to help achieve their sustainability targets and share her expertise with her colleagues.

Investing in the future
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we had a work experience student join our Building Services team. She has worked alongside our engineers, gaining hands-on experience in design-related tasks. She reviewed building layouts and contributed to technical drawings, showcasing her attention to detail and commitment to quality. We look forward to welcoming more students in 2025!

Why should you invest in T-Level placements?
In a recent video to support Colchester Institute with T-Level placements, Associate Director Natalie Finnigan explains the difference between apprenticeships and T-Level placements. She shares her experiences hosting T-Level placements at Concertus and discusses the benefits for employers in offering these opportunities and how they contribute to shaping future generations. Our team has been hosting interactive sessions to share real-world experiences with students, helping them develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their careers. Watch here.