Ashe’s team at Winchmore School in Enfield is celebrating having scored 100% during a recent Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) site evaluation.

Led by project manager David Bucknell, the team has been building a new two-storey sixth form block along with external works.  The £7.3m project started in September 2023 and has been under construction throughout the last school year.

The CCS evaluation is based on three key areas: Community, Environment and Workforce. The project received an ‘Excellent’ in all areas.

The scheme, which has been operating for over 25 years, is an independently run, not-for-profit organisation which helps to raise standards in the construction industry.  Contractors who register their activities agree to abide by a code of considerate practice and their sites are monitored and assessed on their performance and how they conform to the code.

In the evaluation comments, it was noted that the site complies with ISO9001 Quality Management certification and good practice was observed. One area highlighted was Ashe’s well-designed traffic management system and the team’s attitude to good housekeeping ensuring the site entrance is inviting and the surrounding area is kept clean and tidy, reflecting a very high level of customer service.

“…a very high level of customer service”

Also highlighted for praise were Ashe’s workforce activities with Ashe undertaking all the correct processes and promoting health and safety and wellbeing as a high priority.

Comments on Ashe’s care for the environment included compliance with ISO14001 Environmental Management standard and praise for the initiatives employed to enhance energy efficiency, the provision of free e-learning materials from the Supply Chain Sustainability School and Ashe’s use of the Thrive social value tool to evaluate the project’s social value impacts.

One of the social value events held recently was a ceremony to mark one of the project’s milestones. Students from Winchmore School’s current sixth form were invited to sign the back of a cladding panel before it was installed on their new building’s façade.

Business development director Andy Morris said: “These events are a great opportunity to take stock of the wonderful facilities we create for generations to come.  It helps the building users to understand what goes into a construction project such as this, and may well open their eyes to a career in our industry. It would be nice to think that in years to come they’ll be able to tell their own children that they’ve signed a part of a building that helped them in their own education and career development.”

The project is for Enfield Council and was procured under the Pagabo framework. Work is expected to be completed in September 2024.