Kier Construction has started work on a £19m school project expected to rank as the largest structure in the UK built with the latest cross-laminated timber (CLT) technology.

Foundations are now being laid for the William Perkin Church of England High School in Oldfield Lane North, Greenford, under a fast-track programme that will see the first pupils enter the new building at the start of term next September.

William Perkin High is the latest in a succession of challenging, high-speed school projects Kier has undertaken using CLT, including the Sir Alec Reed Academy in nearby Northolt, completed last summer.

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The team is on course for the first section hand over for the Year 7 intake in September 2013 - some 10 months after Kier moved onto the former Glaxo sports and social club grounds to begin demolition of the old premises and site preparations.

The design & build contract has been awarded to Kier's Maple Cross office by Ealing Council on behalf of the Twyford Academies Trust, which will run the school.

The new school will have places for 1,200 11 to 16-year-olds, plus a sixth form with places for 250 students and a centre for children with special educational needs. The local community will also be able to use the school’s facilities, which include five sports pitches, floodlit hard playing surfaces, indoor sports hall and activity studio.

Following the first intake of pupils next September, internal fit-out works will continue until April 2014.

(CD)