FFT’s Specialist Education Team – Shaping Spaces for Tomorrow’s Minds
22 February 2024
As our lead education sector specialist, Senior Associate Grant McFall heads to this year’s Institute of School Business Leadership London Regional Conference, we thought it would be a prime opportunity to shine a light on FFT’s experience and expertise in this sector.
The Institute’s annual conference, held at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London Kensington, provides those working within and serving the education sector with a day of practical workshops and expert speakers, together with an exhibition and networking.
Grant says: “The ISBL Conference provides us with an opportunity to network with industry peers and to learn from knowledgeable sector leaders. We are looking forward to sharing our own knowledge in this vitally important area, to catching up with existing contacts, and to forging new relationships.”
Grant leads a team of chartered building surveyors with significant education experience. Together, they have handled in excess of £11 million in key education sector projects across London and the South East during 2023-2024 alone.
Recladding – Fire Safety Upgrades – Critical Building Fabric Refurbishment – RAAC inspections
Managing a variety of projects for schools, universities, academies and private educational establishments, the team has undertaken commissions covering everything from recladding and fire safety upgrades, to critical building fabric refurbishment and RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) inspections.
The shared knowledge and extensive knowhow of the team means they are able to offer a complete, end-to-end service.
From creating brand new, cutting edge and future proof educational spaces, to refurbishing, extending and maintaining existing buildings so that they are not just compliant, but go above and beyond to guarantee the safety and well-being of students and staff, the team always has its eye on the bigger picture.
The team’s education sector-specific services include:
- Condition surveys
- Estate and asset management
- Condition Improvement Funding applications
- Project management
- Contract administration
- New build commissions
- Refurbishment projects
- Specialist sports and science facilities
- Sustainability solutions
Grant and his team have particular expertise in guiding establishments through the strategic funding process, laying the groundwork to support applications to a successful outcome.
Supporting the overall mission of educational establishments
With long term clients including the Diocese of Southwark, City of London Corporation, London South East Trust and University of Greenwich, the team adopts an integrated approach which shares and supports the overall mission of the educational establishments it serves.
Recent projects have included:
A condition survey and report together with a strategic forward maintenance programme for cyclical and capital works projects for City of London Corporation. The project allowed the client to gain a thorough knowledge of the costs and resources involved in keeping City of London School for Girls in a safe and secure condition for the next 30 years.
Coordinating extensive refurbishment works within a Grade II Listed building on a tight timescale to create City of London School for Girls a fully renovated science laboratory and administration area, all with no disruption within school term time.
A high-level stock condition survey and report for the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama, resulting in a detailed forward maintenance plan, allowing the establishment to forecast its finances and strategically plan future projects.
Acting as principal designer and contract administrator to oversee the replacement of the roofing system at Horizons Academy in Bexley, part of the London South East Academies Trust family of schools. The school now benefits from an improved learning environment, and valuable energy savings.
Acting as contract administrator and principal designer in the creation of the Medway Food and Innovation Centre at the University of Greenwich Medway Campus in Chatham, making sure its design met a specific set of requirements and aligned with the needs and expectations of its future end users.
Grant McFall feels rewarded by the work he and his team do. “We are proud to be able to play such an important role in creating, improving and maintaining educational spaces that foster sustainability, safety, and innovation and that contribute towards nurturing the minds of future generations,” he says.
To learn more about how FFT’s team can support your establishment, email Grant McFall at [email protected]
