Morgan Sindall has begun construction on a £20 million replacement for Sharlston Community School in Sharlston Common, West Yorkshire, marking the start of the project with a groundbreaking ceremony. The new 250-pupil primary is being delivered on behalf of the Department for Education.

The single-storey building will replace the existing school and cater for children from nursery through to Year Six. Facilities will include modern classrooms, a sports hall, an assembly space and a kitchen.

The project will be carried out in two phases: first, the new school will be built; second, the current facilities will be demolished to make way for a new playground, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and a staff car park.

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Sustainability is central to the scheme. Green spaces will be enhanced through improved sports fields, landscaping and ecology works, while the building will feature ground source heat pumps and photovoltaic (PV) panels to reduce carbon emissions.

The team is targeting strong social value outcomes, aiming for 75% of SME spend to be placed with local businesses. Morgan Sindall is also collaborating with the school community, including plans for pupils to help design a mural for the back wall of the new building.

Given that the site remains operational, a comprehensive safety and security plan is in place, and alternative parking has been arranged for staff and visitors during construction.

Ben Hall, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Yorkshire, said: "A key element of the Morgan Sindall ethos is creating sustainable buildings that serve communities for years to come. At Sharlston, we want to provide a tightly knit community with a school that is fit for purpose, built for the future, and one that will serve its people for generations."