Galliford Try Building North West has celebrated the halfway milestone of the Bolton University Collegiate School (UCS) expansion project with a structure signing ceremony.

The event underscored the collaborative efforts behind the £17.6 million initiative to transform the school's facilities.

The ceremony brought together representatives from Galliford Try, the Department for Education (DfE), technical advisors Mott MacDonald, architects AHR, the Quest multi-academy trust, and members of the school community. Two Bolton UCS students symbolically led the signing of the pre-cast structure, highlighting the involvement of the school community in the project’s progress.


The expansion includes state-of-the-art additions such as a dining area, kitchen, sports hall, and activity studio. An additional 1,086 square meters of light refurbishment will modernize existing spaces, supporting the school’s transition from a vocational to an academic curriculum. The new facilities are on track to open in September 2025, with the teaching block now watertight and glazing and brickwork nearing completion.

Galliford Try has prioritised community engagement, delivering significant social value throughout the project. Activities have included over 13 school and college visits, on-site interactions with more than 60 students, and community engagement impacting over 100 young people. The team has also facilitated four T Level placements, with two more starting in January 2025. Additional contributions include donating fencing to a local group, supporting the 'Ten Tin Challenge' for Back Up North West, and volunteering at Bolton Lads and Girls Club (BLGC).

The project has also earned top marks in its first Considerate Constructors Scheme assessment, reflecting exceptional standards in safety, respect, and environmental stewardship.