Caunton is becoming an experienced steelwork contractor in the burgeoning schools building sector. The company is presently working on supplying the steelwork for new school buildings in Oldham Lancashire, at the Failsworth School. The new school, in fact on the site of the existing one, will be developed as a 1500 place school for the 11-16 age group.

Over 650 tonnes of steelwork are currently being supplied by Caunton, which includes curved steelwork framing. Steelwork connection design is most carefully co-ordinated, because of the interface with concrete shear walls & cores. This has led to the development of subtle movement joints.

Caunton’s scope of works comprises the framing over the Sports Hall, the Art, Humanities, Performing Arts, and Design-and-Technology Blocks, and the Refectory Area. There are one large and three smaller rotunda areas – erection in progress in the photograph – providing architectural interest to the main school structure.
All the school’s departments are linked by what is called “The Street”, the roof of which is designed as a tubular frame supporting a clear ETFE roof, (ETFE is the clear roofing material used for the roof of the Eden Project too). The majority of roof members are bespoke curved members describing the distinctive profile of the roof.