New LLEP strategy to show SMEs the benefit of taking on apprentices

Tess Egginton
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New LLEP strategy to show SMEs the benefit of taking on apprentices

Apprenticeships in Leicester and Leicestershire will increase in number over coming years under a new plan to grow opportunities across business sizes and skills levels.

Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and skills partners aim to build the number of local people undertaking an apprenticeship. They also want to grow the number of SMEs taking on apprentices, and support employers and education providers in increasing the number of higher and degree apprenticeships.

It comes as data shows half of apprenticeships in the LLEP region are started by people aged 25 and above. Female starts outnumbered male starts in 2020-21.

The LLEP has now set out its objectives in a new three-year Apprenticeship Strategy and Action Plan. It follows the Levelling Up White Paper, in which Government set out twelve ‘missions’ in which it believes progress is needed over the next decade.

Government is investing an additional £3.8bn in further education and skills to ensure the number of people successfully completing high-quality skills training significantly increases by 2030.

Verity Hancock, chair of the LLEP’s Skills Advisory Panel and principal of Leicester College, said: “Inclusivity and productivity are core focuses of the LLEP’s economic growth strategy and we are already introducing projects, such as the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, which will improve the quality, number and take-up of local apprenticeships.

“Our Apprenticeship Strategy and Action Plan sets out how we will work with regional education and skills providers and employers, especially SMEs, to further raise awareness of apprenticeships, traineeships and T-levels through to 2024.

“Our goal is to deliver improved links to careers in the curriculum, especially for those aged 16 to 18, and start apprenticeship conversations with adults. By working with business intermediaries, we can increase the number of apprenticeships locally, particularly around STEM subjects.”

The LLEP recognises that local challenges remain. The continuing dominance of the academic route among young people, and lack of awareness about availability of apprenticeships for adults have both been identified.

The number of advertised vacancies is also lower in Leicester and Leicestershire than in other areas – a trend attributed to the region’s large SME population.

Most apprenticeship ‘starts’ in the region are in the city and North West Leicestershire as a result of the number of larger employers. Analysis has identified Engineering and Manufacturing as skills priorities for the LLEP area which require an ongoing supply of skilled employees.

The LLEP is addressing these challenges with a 20-point action plan aimed at encouraging employers to take on more apprentice talent while raising the take-up of apprenticeships among people of all ages.

The LLEP wants apprenticeships and other vocational options like T-levels to be recognised in equal parity to academic routes and an alternative pathway to successful careers across all sectors of the economy.

On April 5, the LLEP is coordinating a session with wider partners for advisers who support people into work, encouraging them to promote apprenticeships as an option.

MHR supports The East Midlands Polish Scouting Association and The British Red Cross in Ukraine refugee crisis aid

Tess Egginton
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MHR supports The East Midlands Polish Scouting Association and The British Red Cross in Ukraine refugee crisis aid

MHR International, the HR, payroll and finance expert, has donated £10,000-worth of essential items to support The East Midlands Polish Scouting Association’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal and made a £10,000 donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal set up by The British Red Cross.

Alongside its donations, the Nottinghamshire-based firm also coordinated individual donations from its employees, which were collated at the firm’s head office ahead of being transported to Poland where it is hoped they will provide some relief to Ukrainian refugees arriving in the country.

Essential goods collected included blankets and sleeping bags, as well as toiletries, medical items, clothes and baby supplies. These will be delivered by truck, with the fuel costs also covered by MHR, who will be driving to four different locations in Poland.

The country, which shares a 310-mile land border with Ukraine, is estimated to have welcomed the majority of the 1.7 million refugees, with aid efforts largely operated by volunteers, as well as NGOs and municipalities within the region, making charitable donations of provisions critical.

The £10,000 donation will provide crucial funds to support the ongoing work of the DEC, a committee which unites 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialists in different areas of disaster response. They have already distributed over 30,000 food and hygiene parcels and provided food, warm clothes and other aid to around 8,000 people sheltering in metro stations in Ukraine.

Jessica Mills, chairman, MHR, said: “As a family-owned business, we felt very strongly about doing what we can to help those individuals and families fleeing Ukraine and we’re pleased to have been able to play a small role in providing donations to The Polish Scouting Association’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

“It is our sincerest hope that the donations we have made, both in essential items and to The British Red Cross, reach those who need it the most and provide some relief. We’d also like to thank Go Outdoors Nottingham for providing a substantial discount towards the goods purchased to ensure we could offer even more essential items.”

Danek Jackowski, district commissioner, The Polish Scouting Association, added: “Our hearts are with our Ukrainian friends, and we are proud of the incredible response in Poland to the escalating refugee crisis. We’re grateful to companies such as MHR for their generosity in supporting our Ukraine Crisis Appeal so we can continue to aid those who are desperately seeking refuge.”

MAF Finance Group bolsters agricultural and sustainability team in the East Midlands

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MAF Finance Group bolsters agricultural and sustainability team in the East Midlands
Derbyshire-based MAF Finance Group has appointed a new sector specialist director at a time the team is strengthening its strategy on renewable and sustainability investment to the farming industry. Wreide Poole brings a renewables specialism with him after working for many years with some of the world’s largest players within renewables, power conversion and the construction sectors. In his new role Wreide will work with the farming and associated industries to advise and fund renewable and sustainable projects throughout the UK highlighting how renewable energy can complement farming methods offering both the long-term realisation of sustainability and achieve cost efficiencies across the wider sector. Wreide will join the wider agricultural and sustainability team based at MAF’s head office in South Normanton. This is led by director and head of agriculture, renewables and sustainability, Rachel Galbraith, alongside relationship director for agricultural Sue Baker who joined the team two years ago. The team supports farmers with renewable energy solutions which comprise the full array of renewable technology including, but not limited to, solar, wind power, biomass systems and ground source heat pumps to mention a few notable systems. Commenting on the expansion of the team, Rachel Galbraith, says: “I extend a huge welcome to Wreide as he joins us at an exciting stage. With the NFU’s target of achieving net zero status by 2040, we are seeing a huge uplift in demand from farmers looking to finance renewable energy projects. Farmers need to think about other income streams to support their activities, and renewable energy is a great example of this. “With Wreide on board, we can continue to have those conversations on a larger scale to look at ways farmers can drive their renewable energy plans forward as investment in machinery and storage of crops paves the way for long-term savings. We recognise this requires significant investment, but thankfully incentives such as tax savings and government grants are helping drive farmers towards more sustainable farming as cashflow projections show that renewable energy is very profitable. “Now the agricultural team has grown, we are at an exciting stage to help farmers throughout the UK to play their part in the climate challenge ahead.”

Kettering inkjet firm snapped up

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Kettering inkjet firm snapped up
Cambridge-headquartered Xaar has completed the acquisition of Megnajet, the Kettering-based designer and manufacturer of industrial ink management and supply systems for digital inkjet. The deal accelerates Xaar’s growth strategy of offering its customers, particularly User Developer Integrators (UDIs), greater integration across inkjet solutions through access to more of the printing ecosystem, such as ink supply systems and electronics. Megnajet designs and manufactures integrated and compact ink management and supply systems. Their broad product range will form part of Xaar’s inkjet solutions portfolio, helping UDI customers reduce development timescales and shorten their time to market, while also attracting a broader range of commercial opportunities for the business. In addition, the acquisition will enable Megnajet to focus on growth through new developments and shared expertise across the group. Megnajet will be headed by Mike Seal as its new general manager. Mike joins the business having previously been Xaar’s head of advanced applications. Megnajet’s technical director, Graham Strudwick, becomes the Xaar Group’s new director of system component integration, bringing his expertise to the wider business while still retaining the responsibilities from his previous role. John Mills, CEO of Xaar, said: “This acquisition demonstrates further progress of our growth strategy as we focus on offering our customers a more integrated inkjet solution. “As well as enhancing Xaar’s world class inkjet expertise, Megnajet’s excellent reputation within the inkjet industry for delivering compact and easy to integrate products will ensure we can attract new opportunities through providing a more rounded approach for our customers. “Xaar has worked with Megnajet for several years, so this acquisition is a great addition to our business. We are delighted to welcome everyone at Megnajet into the Xaar Group.” Mike Seal said: “I’m looking forward to working with the team to continue Megnajet’s focus in helping its customers get their products to market more quickly. “Now, as part of Xaar, we will have the expertise, resources and technologies to develop our ink management and supply systems even further, benefiting our customers and growing the Megnajet business through this exciting integration.” It is anticipated that the acquisition will contribute positively to earnings in 2022, and to the long-term profitable growth in Xaar’s core printhead business.

NatWest pledges support to Lincolnshire sustainable materials manufacturer

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NatWest pledges support to Lincolnshire sustainable materials manufacturer
NatWest has pledged its backing to a revolutionary materials manufacturer that launched during COP26 in November. Incredible Husk, based in Grantham in Lincolnshire, manufacturers a sustainable material from the husk of food products that works as an alternative to plastic, leather, cardboard and other environmentally harmful and unsustainable materials. Led by CEO Keith Ridgeway, Incredible Husk’s team of scientists and experts have devised a process that uses rice, nuts and coffee husks to create a carbon-negative alternative that could help transform the country’s waste. The idea has already attracted interest from several household names. The business was awarded Gold and Silver respectively for ‘Environmental Development’ and ‘Environmental Sustainability’ at the Green World Awards, which aim to find the world’s greenest countries, companies and communities. The business was also appointed Green World Ambassadors during the London-based ceremony on 15 November 2021. NatWest’s support for the manufacturer follows the launch of the bank’s ‘Springboard to Sustainability’ report, which found that UK’s six million SMEs could help achieve 50% of the UK’s net-zero decarbonisation goals. It also found that SMEs could create up to 130,000 new jobs, produce around 30,000 new businesses resulting in an estimated £160 billion opportunity for the UK economy. Keith Ridgeway, CEO of Incredible Husk, said: “We have huge ambitions for a start-up company and want to target the leaders in every industry to help them make the transition to decarbonisation and inspire others in their sector to do the same. “Our product is revolutionary, and we believe we have the potential to decarbonize entire sectors by 2035. However, we also understand the importance of rolling out these vital sustainable practices without disrupting entire supply chains, so the process needs to be gradual and well-thought-out. “It’s fantastic to have received support from NatWest to help us fulfil our ambitions and deliver our plans. The bank is leading the way in terms of empowering and enabling sustainable SMEs and it’s great to work with a company that shares our vision for a greener future. The collaboration is truly authentic to our values.” Amber Launder, local enterprise manager at NatWest, said: “Climate change is the biggest single issue facing humanity today, threatening lives and livelihoods across all spheres of society. NatWest’s ambition is to be a leading bank in helping to address climate change, primarily through the support we provide to our customers and bringing stakeholders together. “Keith and his team truly deserve to be celebrated for their efforts in driving forward plans for decarbonisation internationally and across industries. It’s great they’ve been recognised so publicly through the World Green Awards and NatWest is happy to play a part in their next chapter – I look forward to seeing what’s next for them.”

Candidate shortages drive softer increase in recruitment activity in February

Steve Fisher
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Candidate shortages drive softer increase in recruitment activity in February

UK recruitment consultancies registered a further marked increase in hiring activity during February, according to the latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs survey. That said, permanent staff appointments expanded at the softest rate for 11 months, while temp billings growth also slowed, as panel members stated that candidate shortages restricted their ability to fill roles. Notably, total candidate availability declined at a sharp and accelerated rate that was the quickest since last November. At the same time, vacancy growth picked up to a three-month high. A combination of robust demand for workers and low supply led to further upward pressure on rates of starting pay. Salaries for new permanent joiners rose at the second-fastest rate in over 24 years of data collection, while temp pay also increased sharply.

The report is compiled by IHS Markit from responses to questionnaires sent to a panel of around 400 UK recruitment and employment consultancies.

Softer, but still rapid increase in hiring activity – UK recruitment consultancies recorded a further robust increase in hiring activity during February amid reports of rising workloads at clients and greater confidence in the outlook. That said, permanent placement growth eased to an 11-month low and temp billings also expanded at a softer pace, with recruiters frequently stating that candidate shortages had limited their ability to fill roles.

Candidate supply falls at quickest rate for three months – The total availability of candidates fell at the sharpest rate since last November in February, driven by steeper falls in both permanent and temp staff supply. Lower candidate numbers were generally attributed to ongoing tight labour market conditions and robust demand for staff. There were also reports that the pool of candidates was limited due to lingering pandemic-related uncertainty and fewer foreign applicants.

Vacancy growth accelerates for first time since last July – Overall vacancies expanded at the quickest rate for three months in February. This marked the first acceleration of growth since last July, and was driven by sharper rises in demand for both permanent and temporary staff.

Pay pressures sharpen in February – Recruiters continued to see intense competition for workers in February, leading to further steep increases in rates of starting pay for both permanent and short-term staff. Notably, permanent starters’ salaries rose at the second-sharpest pace since data collection began in October 1997.

Regional and Sector Variations – Data broken down by region showed that permanent staff appointments expanded at softer rates across all four English areas except the North of England, which also saw the sharpest overall increase.

The steepest increase in temp billings was recorded in London, followed closely by the North of England. That said, all four monitored English regions noted slower expansions that at the start of the year.

Historically marked increases in vacancies continued to be seen across both the public and private sectors during February. Growth of demand was strongest for permanent staff in the private sector. The slowest, but still steep, rise in vacancies was signalled for public sector permanent roles.

Sharp increases in permanent staff demand were seen across all ten monitored job categories midway through the first quarter. IT & Computing led the upturn, followed closely by Hotel & Catering. Secretarial/Clerical saw the softest increase.

Hotel & Catering topped the rankings in terms of temporary staff demand in February, followed by Blue Collar. Nonetheless, historically sharp rises in vacancies were also seen across the remaining eight categories monitored by the survey.

Commenting on the latest survey results, Claire Warnes, Head of Education, Skills and Productivity at KPMG UK, said:“While recruitment activity has slowed slightly, employers across all sectors continued to hire energetically during February, as their workloads increased and vacancy growth accelerated for the first time since last summer. But the lack of suitable candidates continued and fuelled yet further increases in starting salaries. The IT sector led the increase in demand for permanent staff, with hotel and catering close behind, possibly reflecting the reduction in pandemic measures across society. A sustained focus on skills shortages is required if all sectors of the economy are to leave winter behind and head into spring with confidence in the jobs market.”

Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, said:”Candidate availability has now been dropping for a year, which shows the scale of the labour shortage the UK faces. Recruiters are filling record numbers of posts, but demand is still rising. Those firms that are meeting their needs are working more collaboratively with their recruiters to get their offer to candidates right. Meanwhile, government can help by working with business to support people back into the labour market and address skills gaps. At a time when firms and workers are hard-pressed by inflation, making sure businesses can invest in wages and training matters. Ramping up National Insurance is not the right way to go.”

Topps Tiles acquires 60% share of online supplier in £5.3m deal

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Topps Tiles acquires 60% share of online supplier in £5.3m deal
Topps Tiles, the Leicester-based tile specialist, has acquired 60% of the issued share capital of Pro Tiler Ltd, an online specialist supplier of tiling-related consumables and equipment to trade customers, in a £5.3m deal. Pro Tiler was established in 2010 by Andy Bucknall, his wife Wendy, and their two sons Sam and Todd. Andy, Sam and Todd all previously worked as professional tilers. As part of this transaction, Andy and Wendy will retire from the business while Sam and Todd will continue to run the day-to-day operations of Pro Tiler. In the financial year ended 31 March 2021, Pro Tiler reported turnover of £9.3 million and profit before tax of £1.1 million. In the current year, the business has continued to grow and the turnover in the twelve months to 31 January 2022 was £11.9 million. Topps Tiles says the acquisition of Pro Tiler is a significant development in its growth strategy and an important first step into operating a specialist online business alongside its omni-channel Retail business and Commercial brands. Rob Parker, Chief Executive, said: “Pro Tiler is a well-respected brand with a strong customer service ethic, which fits closely with our core values. The acquisition of an online specialist supplier to trade customers complements our omni-channel Retail business and Commercial brands.

“It also moves us closer to our 20% market share goal of ‘1 in 5 by 2025’ while maintaining our specialism of tiling and related products. I look forward to working with Sam and Todd Bucknall and helping them to take this successful business forward into the next stage of its growth. The development of our digital offer remains an important area of focus for the Group and we have plans in place to expand this further in 2022.”

Forterra sees “strong” year as revenue and pre-tax profit rise

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Forterra sees “strong” year as revenue and pre-tax profit rise
Forterra, the Northampton-headquartered producer of manufactured masonry products, has reported “strong” trading in 2021, with results slightly ahead of market expectations. Revenue grew to £370.4m from £291.9m in 2020, while the firm posted a pre-tax profit of £50.7m, up from £17.4m. The company noted that construction of its new Desford brick factory remains on track and is expected to deliver a 22% effective increase in brick production output from 2025.

Stephen Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We delivered a good financial performance in 2021, with strong trading throughout the year and full year results slightly ahead of expectations.

“Our markets continued to recover from the effects of the pandemic, with our brick sales volumes similar to 2019 and further growth only limited by production capacity and available inventory.

“We continued our programme of organic investment, with the construction of our new Desford brick factory remaining on track for commissioning at the end of this year, our Wilnecote refurbishment proceeding to plan; and new investments in Accrington and solar power generation announced today. We remain disciplined in our capital allocation and have maintained our progressive dividend policy whilst commencing a share buy-back programme and retaining balance sheet flexibility for bolt-on acquisitions.

“Our order book remains strong and, although inflationary pressures continue, we remain confident of recovering these through selling price increases. 

“We remain watchful as to the impacts of increasing macro uncertainty and supply chain pressures as well as increases in interest rates. Approximately 70% of the Group’s 2022 energy requirements have been secured. 

“With market conditions remaining highly supportive, and Desford now expected to deliver a 22% effective increase in brick production and increased incremental EBITDA of £25m from 2025, we are confident that the Group will achieve further progress in the coming year and beyond.”

Derby launches campaign to become home of Great British Railways

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Derby launches campaign to become home of Great British Railways
Derby’s 180 years of rail heritage and deep-rooted culture of future rail innovation make it the ideal central location for the new Great British Railways (GBR) headquarters, according to those behind the bid. GBR will be the new public body responsible for running Britain’s railways. It will integrate the railways across the country, owning the infrastructure, collecting fare revenue, running and planning the network, and setting most fares and timetables. On 4 October 2021, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that a competition will take place to find a location for the headquarters outside of London. Historical ties with railways and good train connectivity to other places are among the criteria which will be used to decide the winner. Derby’s bid has the backing of councils across the East Midlands including Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Leicester and Leicestershire, representing over three million people from across the region. Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, who are leading the bid, said: “Rail is in the blood of many generations of people in Derby, who are naturally proud of our rich and deep-rooted rail heritage. My own father spent the whole of his working life at the Derby Loco Works and the smell of engine oil still lingers strong in my memory. “The home of the railways should also have an eye to the future and this is where Derby can excel. It is a centre for rail excellence and innovation, with a strong supply chain to support a large, diverse rail cluster. “We are the natural home for the first national headquarters of Great British Railways. Derby and all our partners in the East Midlands makes us the best placed region to meet GBR’s requirements and levelling up needs.” Paul Simpson, Derby City Council Chief Executive, said: “Derby has a near 200-hundred-year legacy as being the centre for the rail industry and geographically sits in heart of UK rail network. “Rail is embedded in our culture and as a city we’re home to Europe’s largest and most diverse rail cluster. We have a highly skilled and talented workforce, as we’re home to leading innovating businesses, including Alstom, Rolls-Royce and Toyota. “The move would offer a unique opportunity for the Government to collaborate with the rail industry, as well as supporting the levelling up agenda for the city. With backing from our people and our Local Authority partners across the East Midlands, we’re determined to prove that Derby is the right home for GBR.” GBR can benefit greatly from being located at the heart of Britain’s rail industry. Over 11,000 workers are employed in Europe’s largest and most diverse rail cluster. Centred around Derby it covers every aspect of railway building, maintenance and operation. Derby is home to major players in the automotive and aviation industry including Rolls-Royce and Toyota making it uniquely placed for GBR to benefit from cross sector collaboration and a highly skilled workforce. Will Tanner, communications director at Alstom UK and Ireland, said that Derby was well placed to support the Government relocation. He said: “The business and national strategic case for locating Great British Railways in the city is very strong indeed and we are delighted that Derby is putting itself forward. Alstom is the UK’s leading train builder and maintainer and is proud to call Derby home. The city has been building trains for Britain and the world since 1839 and its still doing so today.” As the UK’s most central city, Derby is a prime location. Over six million people live within one hour’s travel time, it is well connected by train, car or plane. Situated on the River Derwent Derby is not only the gateway to the picturesque Peak District National Park but also part of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage site. Just as Derby is a great opportunity for GBR, it’s also a great opportunity to level up the region. Derby currently has a low proportion of Government jobs, the lowest for a city of its size in the UK. Becoming the home of GBR would directly help level up the area by diversifying and strengthening the local economy. Government announced their commitment to move 22,000 civil service jobs out of London by the end of the decade. The relocations will be an opportunity to improve the capacity of the civil service, by helping to attract and retain talented staff across the whole of the UK and for decision-making to better reflect the whole population. Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “We fully support the bid to bring the national headquarters of Great British Railways to Derby and believe it is the ideal location, not only because of its historic associations with the railway and the vital role it plays in the rail industry today but also its geographical position in the national rail network and proximity to the M1. “The city and county are home to Europe’s largest cluster of rail engineering companies and it is the only place in the UK where you can design, test and manufacture a train all on the same site. “There are around 11,000 people working in the rail sector in the area boasting a diverse pool of expertise including cutting edge research in conjunction with the University of Derby on rail de-carbonisation and composite design. As part of the levelling up agenda this would be a major boost for the East Midlands region and a real opportunity.” Councillor Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council and Member of Parliament for Mansfield, said: “Derby is the obvious place to be the home of GBR, with its historic rail connections and proud heritage of manufacturing and engineering, including Alstom building trains that drive both the UK and also much of the rest of the world. I back this bid, my Council does in Notts too. The whole region is backing Derby. “With four new HS2 stations, including Derby, and billions of new rail investment coming to our region, the new hub of Great British Railways must be in the East Mids. It fits perfectly with our plans to boost investment and infrastructure by working together across the region, and with new powers related to rail set to be handed down to our area from Government. GBR should come to Derby.” Councillor Nicholas Rushton, Leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “The city of Derby is the natural choice for the headquarters of GBR and all the East Midlands region is behind the bid.” John Forkin, Managing Director of Marketing Derby, added: “Derby is a can-do city that hosts one of the world’s largest rail clusters and I cannot think of a better home for the new Great British Railways. “From a Government perspective, it makes business sense and locating these jobs in the East Midlands would also contribute to the levelling up agenda.”

Henry Brothers hands over new £13.2m Derbyshire school

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Henry Brothers hands over new £13.2m Derbyshire school
Contractor Henry Brothers has handed over the new £13.2m Alfreton Park School. The new school will provide a modern, larger, purpose-built facility for pupils with special needs and was funded by Derbyshire County Council. This is the second project that Henry Brothers has delivered for Alfreton Park School – the company previously delivered a hydrotherapy pool, which opened in early 2017 – and the latest in a number of schemes that the company has worked on for Derbyshire County Council. Henry Brothers Midlands Managing Director, Ian Taylor, said: “We are very pleased to have handed over this first-class facility, which will replace out-dated and unsuitable teaching facilities at the school’s existing site. “During the construction phase we have built up a good relationship with the school and its pupils, and were very pleased to organise insights into work experience, with brick-laying and plastering demonstrations, interesting events for the youngsters to enjoy, and to contribute to the £250,000 appeal to create a café and shop at the new school. “We hope that the students and staff will be very happy in their lovely new school. It’s been a pleasure to have been a part of this project.” Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Alex Dale, said: “It is very exciting to see the school open its doors to pupils. The Council is committed to ensuring children in Derbyshire have access to a high-quality education and these excellent new facilities and equipment will provide a fantastic learning environment. “The project is a result of significant investment from the Council and it’s a facility that will really benefit students, parents, staff and the local community.” The new single-storey building has been constructed on a site adjacent to Alfreton Park, known as Highfield Plantation. The old school will be demolished once the new site is up and running. Acting head teacher at Alfreton Park School, Josie O’Donnell, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with our brand-new facilities! Our pupils have waited so long for the school they truly need, and teaching staff will finally be able to deliver the high-quality education our pupils deserve, meeting their communication, cognitive, social, emotional, physical and sensory needs in a suitable environment. “We couldn’t have asked for a better company than Henry Brothers and everyone at Alfreton Park, Henry Brothers and associated companies have worked tirelessly to make this happen. Thanks especially to Rob Mason, David Eskriett and Neil Sleigh from Henry Brothers. We can’t wait to see what the future holds!” The new school will expand the teaching and other facilities available at Alfreton Park School. Featuring 12 classrooms, six group rooms, including specialist therapy rooms and soft play areas, and a combined hall and dining area, it will have space for up to 120 students. The Henry Brothers team that built the new facility included Maber architects and structural engineer HWA. Faithful + Gould carried out project management and quantity surveying roles for the client.
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