Hockley Primary School, located in Essex, was one of the many schools affected by the widely publicised issues with RAAC in 2023. Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight construction material that was commonly used between the 1950s and 1990s. Due to its limited lifespan of approximately 30 years, RAAC is prone to structural failure, particularly when exposed to moisture.
In September 2023, RAAC was identified in the school’s structures, resulting in its immediate closure. To facilitate the resumption of face-to-face teaching, two temporary modular classroom buildings were designed and installed on-site under an accelerated programme.
Design ID, in collaboration with McAvoy Group, served as the civil and structural engineering consultants on this project. The civil engineering scope included:
- Comprehensive drainage design, incorporating an attenuation tank and headwalls into an existing stream.
- Site levels and pavement design.
- Haul road and temporary works design.
This project presented several challenges. The site’s existing levels and constraints required extremely precise tolerances to achieve a functional drainage outfall. Additionally, tree root protection zones posed difficulties in positioning the attenuation tank. These challenges were further compounded by tight project timelines. Despite these complexities, Design ID successfully navigated all obstacles to deliver high-quality results.
The two temporary, two-story classroom buildings were constructed in two phases to enable a swift return to in-person learning. Phase One was completed in just ten weeks, allowing students and teachers to return in December 2023. Phase Two followed shortly thereafter, with final completion achieved within three additional weeks. The buildings were officially unveiled to students and parents in March 2024.
Both phases were delivered efficiently and to a high standard, ensuring that students at Hockley Primary School could resume their education with minimal disruption.
Client: McAvoy Group
