Builders go back to the classroom

4:30pm Friday 3rd October 2008

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TWO former pupils of a York school that is being rebuilt will be overseeing part of the multi-million pound project – more than 15 years after they left the school.

Martin Meek, 35, and Jim Marner, 41, who attended Joseph Rowntree School, in New Earswick, will return to the school in April, when they will project manage the building services element of the development.

The new 1,000-pupil school, which is being built at the rear of the existing buildings using funding from the Government’s Building Schools For The Future programme, is scheduled for occupation in February 2010.

The building services work will include putting the electrics in the new school, which will comprise one building, installing the heating, and putting the air conditioning and ventilation in.

Martin, of Stamford Bridge, and Jim, of Wilberfoss, near York, are employees of York-based building services company SES, which will carry out the mechanical and electrical engineering work on the project.

Father-of-one Martin, who is project manager at SES, which is part of the Shepherd Group, said: “It’s great to be involved in such a prominent project in the local area, especially as it’s part of the Building Schools For The Future programme. It’s my opportunity to put something back in to the local community.

“I left Joseph Rowntree in 1989 and started work with SES on their Apprentice Programme. Almost 20 years later, I’ve gone full circle and, I’m now back working here as the project manager.”

Maggi Wright, head teacher at the school, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to work with past students who we’ve invested in.”

City of York Council is working with support services and builders Carillion on the £29 million project to design and build the new school.

Earlier this month, the Joseph Rowntree School community, including education chiefs, staff, parents and pupils, marked the start of construction work as the first turf was cut for the new building.

The innovative design of the building is based on open circulation spaces, with a central “street” leading to departmental clusters. The school community will use the street for everything from socialising and dining to personalised learning and exhibitions. It will feature a 120-seat lecture theatre that will be used for master classes across different areas of the school curriculum.