Working in partnership with Kier, the main contractor, and alongside Northumberland County Council and Ryder Architecture, this £47 million investment is set to transform education facilities in the area while creating lasting benefits for the local community.

A Landmark Project for Amble

This redevelopment is part of Northumberland County Council’s multi-million-pound programme to modernise schools across the county. At JCSC, the investment included the construction of a state-of-the-art £35.5 million secondary school, the refurbishment of the former middle school to create new premises for Amble First School, and the development of a satellite provision for Barndale House School, providing 50 much-needed places for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Beyond education, the project was planned to significantly improve community facilities. The site includes new and upgraded sports provisions, such as artificial and natural grass pitches, multi-use games areas, and a modern sports hall. Importantly, the school has also been designed with sustainability at its heart, making use of innovative technologies to deliver a net zero carbon in operation building. This supports the council’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

SCH’s Contribution

Our role in this transformative project centred on the fabrication and installation of the structural steelwork that forms the backbone of the new school. In total, SCH delivered 450 tonnes of steelwork across the build, a substantial package that underpinned the strength and stability of the development.

From the major primary steel framework to the detailed secondary elements such as staircases and access platforms, our in-house team delivered every stage with precision. All steel floor beams were fabricated with service penetrations to accommodate the M&E trades that followed on, ensuring smooth integration between disciplines and eliminating delays.

Having full control of the process, with no outsourcing, allowed us to ensure that each stage of the build met the exacting standards expected by both Kier and Northumberland County Council. Our fully coded welding team also provided on-site modifications as required, ensuring the steelwork integrated into the wider construction programme.

Surface treatment protection was applied specifically for a coastal environment, adding durability against the challenging elements of the Amble coastline and safeguarding the structure for the long term.Combined with other protective coatings and treatments, our work ensures the longevity, safety, and compliance of the structure.

The agreed programme allowed 10 weeks for the installation of the steelwork, landing of metal decking packs, and installation of pre-cast concrete units. SCH’s team not only met this challenge but delivered ahead of schedule, completing our scope of works two weeks early. Throughout the build, we consistently received excellent KPI scores, reflecting the high standard of delivery and collaboration on site.

A Lasting Impact for the Community

The redevelopment of JCSC is about more than just bricks and steel. It is an investment in the future of Amble. For students and teachers, the new facilities will provide modern classrooms, digital resources, and specialist teaching spaces that create a first-class learning environment. For children with additional needs, the satellite site for Barndale House School will provide essential, purpose-built support, and for the wider community, the new sports facilities and shared spaces will become hubs of activity, bringing people together and supporting healthier lifestyles.

Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, reflected on this broader vision, stating:
“This development will provide a first-class learning environment for our children and young people, as well as fantastic sports facilities that will benefit the community too.”

The SCH Standard

Our involvement in the James Calvert Spence College project highlights the qualities that define SCH Site Services. With over two decades of experience in steel fabrication and installation, and an in-house workforce that prioritises safety, training, and compliance, we have established a reputation for delivering projects of the highest standard.

By combining technical expertise with a commitment to collaboration and reliability, we have played a key role in bringing this transformative development to life. The fact that we delivered such a complex package ahead of schedule, with outstanding KPI results, underlines both the capability of our team and the trust our clients place in SCH.

The redevelopment of James Calvert Spence College symbolises more than a construction project, it is a long-term investment in education, opportunity, and community.