To support the delivery of a new 3FE (Three-Form Entry) modular primary school for 630 pupils, Shanco was appointed to deliver the full £1m groundworks and civils package at Northmoor Academy in Central Oldham. With a modular build programme running to a defined timeline, the project required a contractor that could deliver safely and efficiently, while coordinating closely with the wider team to keep the works moving and minimise disruption in a prominent town-centre location.
The Brief
Shanco’s role was to prepare the site for installation of the new modular academy and then deliver the supporting civil engineering and external works required to complete the environment around the building. This included foundations, drainage and services, and a hard landscaping scope that incorporated new access routes, retaining structures and high-quality external features.
What We Delivered
Our team delivered a comprehensive scope of works, including:
- Extensive earthworks operations, shaping the site and preparing formation levels to suit the modular programme
- Strip and pad foundations, completed with precise setting of HD bolts within the sports hall area to support the structural requirements
- Drainage and service installation, carefully planned and installed to suit site constraints and programme sequencing
- CS2 classification gas protection measures, implemented in accordance with the project’s geotechnical requirements, supported through inspections and certification to ensure compliance and a confident handover
Following the modular building installation, Shanco progressed into a detailed package of hard landscaping and external works, helping to bring the wider site to completion.
The Challenge
Northmoor Academy is positioned in a busy, highly visible location, adjacent to a local college and surrounded by residential and commercial properties. With limited room for error and neighbours very close by, the works required robust planning, considerate logistics, and a consistent focus on safety and quality.
A key element of the external works was the creation of safe, durable access routes and structures to connect the school level with the new 4G pitches, located on a lower tier. This included the construction of reinforced concrete retaining walls, designed to provide stable, long-term support and enable secure movement across the site.
Another standout feature was a tiered sleeper amphitheatre overlooking the pitches, an architectural element that required careful translation from concept to practical build. Achieving the desired finish within programme and budget constraints required close collaboration and clear buildability thinking.
Collaborative Delivery and Value Engineering
Shanco worked closely with the modular contractor and the design team throughout, providing practical input and coordination to keep progress smooth and predictable. This included:
- Supporting sequencing around modular installation to maintain momentum across the programme
- Working with the architect to develop and implement a buildable approach for the amphitheatre and tiered external areas
- Producing drawings and proposing construction methods to ensure the feature could be delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard
- Developing value engineering options for the external works, helping the project team meet specification while remaining within budget and aligned to key deadlines
This collaborative approach allowed Shanco to contribute beyond “delivery only,” acting as a proactive enabling partner and helping reduce risk for the client team through practical solutions and clear communication.
The Outcome
Shanco’s work helped create a safe, functional and visually strong environment around the new modular academy, supporting pupil movement, improving access, and enhancing the overall site experience. The combination of compliant foundations and service infrastructure alongside high-quality external works, retaining walls, landscaping and the amphitheatre feature, demonstrated Shanco’s ability to deliver complex, high-standard packages within constrained, live environments.
The completed development provides Northmoor Academy with a modern learning environment and external spaces built to perform, reinforcing Shanco’s reputation as a trusted groundworks partner for education projects where programme, safety and quality are non-negotiable
