Sheffield City Council has appointed BAM Construction to build the new Mercia School on the Bannerdale site in south-west Sheffield.

BAM, behind numerous structures in Yorkshire, has an outstanding record both in education and for being one of the UK’s most responsible contractors.

The circa £20m secondary school and sixth form development is being designed by Bond Bryan architects, with whom BAM has created many educational buildings including primary schools at Fir Vale and Shirecliffe.

“We’re a technically proficient contractor and highly experienced in developments of this type.

“Most of all, we are a strong community player, and know it’s important to work with our partners and to reassure them about the quality and safety of the build.

“Construction is a problem-solving business, and we will deliver new facilities that are both safe and impressive.”

Kelvin Pollard

BAM’s construction director for the scheme

BAM’s design arm will also work on the scheme which includes general hard and soft landscaping, fencing, retaining walls, planting and provision of a multi-use games area.

The community will be able to use two new pitches designed to Sport England standards. The scheme also includes works to the existing car park and construction of a sustainable urban drainage system.

BAM was appointed after a competition against several other major contractors. It is currently creating the first phase of Sheffield Retail Quarter in the city centre.

A spokesman for Sheffield City Council said: “Detailed investigations of this site have taken place, and we know that it is a suitable and safe place to build an excellent new school to serve the south west of Sheffield.

“We have an excellent sponsor, Mercia Multi-Academy Trust, which has an extremely strong track record here in Sheffield. 

“We know that with Mercia’s experienced leadership and the trust’s track record in sponsoring outstanding schools, this new secondary school will be the very best it can be, providing an excellent education for children in the south-west of the city.”

this new secondary school will be the very best it can be, providing an excellent education for children in the south-west of the city.”

The build will be complete next year, and the new school is set to open to Year Seven pupils in September  2018.