The Life and Mind Building at Oxford University

Contractual works completion

Moortown commenced works in April 2021, and have recently completed their contractual works in January 2022.

We have been working with main contractor Wates on a £200m project at The University of Oxford on their Life and Mind Building. 

It’s grand scale measures at 269,097 sqft and will be the University’s largest building project ever undertaken. Inside, it will provide many advanced research facilities for several departments including Plant Sciences and Zoology, by facilitating spaces for up to 2000 students and researchers. 

The aim of this new Life and Mind Building is to target critical Global Impact Themes such as ‘Living with biodiversity’, ‘Thriving on a healthy planet’, ‘Conflict and cooperation’ and ‘Nature-based solutions’.

A fascinating project for all involved.

      

Our work package included:

• Archology attendance
• Drainage diversions
• Sewer connections
• Demolition of reinforced concrete structures
• 6,000m³ excavation including off-site disposal
• Installation of piling platforms
• Sheet piling attendance
• Installation of drainage & ducting systems
• Substation
• Construction of large compound

          

New Plant Yard Extension

Plant expansion to meet demand

At the end of last year, we were delighted to start enjoying the benefits of our new Plant yard extension. After six months of construction it finally reached completion and some of our staff moved inside the new building.

      

This new two storey 350m² building will allow for the expansion of the Plant and tool department. It consists of:

• A small Plant and tools workshop
• A tool hire Managers office
• A trade counter on the ground floor
• Upstairs, there is more space for a Plant Managers office
• A training room
• Kitchen
• Gym, complete with toilets and changing facilities
• A dry store for timber products 
• A shelter for the powered access machines.

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It was an important decision we made to upscale our current facilities and to provide the right setup and support for our team in the best way possible.

Moortown has been steadily growing over the past twenty years, and fortunately our workload kept increasing throughout the Pandemic. We are now more capable and ready to continue delivering high quality work to our clients than ever before.

A legacy for the community of North Ferriby Alloment

Moortown, in collaboration with Tilbury Douglas, donated their time and resources to North Ferriby Allotment in December 2021. This was to construct a new reinforced concrete shed base that would form part of a memorial area for Anne Turner. This was achieved by our local site team, who were more than happy get involved and help out for a worthy cause.

Our works consisted of:

• The setting up of a safe working environment including adequate and secure fencing and signage warning all others of potential dangers on a construction site and debris netting to avoid any potential injuries to passing pedestrians and/or damage to public vehicles.
• The safe control of pedestrians, public and delivery vehicles. 
• Reduce excavation and type 1 sub base construction.
• The installation of steel reinforcement. 
• The setting up of formwork/shutters. 
• The installation of concrete to form a level slab with a brush finish and trowelled edge. 
• Re-grading of topsoil and leave the site in a clean and tidy condition on completion. 

 

It was great to hear how the project was well received by Alistair Green on behalf of the Anne Turner Allotments Committee:

Thank you for all your work and for completing this project for us, we all appreciate it very much. We are going to write an allotments article for the village newsletter and parish magazine and will be highlighting your support and assistance with this. The allotments benefit lots of people, the community, wildlife etc. as well the allotment holders and this is a huge boost. Thank you again.

 

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Apprentice Diaries – Dan Baker

Dan Baker, is another apprentice working at Moortown who is studying a course on Construction and the Built Environment at Leeds College of Building in order to become a Site Engineer. This involves five years of education whilst working full time on site, and doing one day a week at is at the Leeds College of Building.

Read on to hear Dan’s thoughts!

Why did you choose this vocation?

“It was through a work placement over the summer that instigated my interest in a career in construction. My Dad has worked for the company for several years now and he encouraged me to give it a try. I’m so glad I gave the work placement a go, as it made me realise that I enjoyed this type of work environment and a hands on learning approach, whilst undertaking a course at a College too.”

What has it been like working at Moortown Group?

“I’ve had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects such as Mustard Wharf in Leeds, West Oaks School in Leeds, Student Accommodation at University of York, Lincoln County Hospital and now I’m going to work at York Guildhall.” 

“Every job has varied so much. So far Mustard Wharf has been my favourite job because of the size of the project. Due to the nature of works, like concreting frames you could see the results quicker and seeing it all finished brought huge satisfaction.”

“My responsibilities have increased job by job. I have learnt so much in a short time from being out on site. I enjoy the responsibilities that come with the role of an engineer because I feel like I contribute a lot to the job and the final outcome of the job. I also enjoy using the instruments to set out/survey on site and using AutoCAD in the office, and also the technical work as it puts my own mind to work.”

What skills have you learnt? 

• Setting out/surveying on site.
• AutoCAD – preparing drawings for setting out, drawing up surveys, etc.
• Time keeping – making sure the men on site are put to work on time and the schedule is followed where possible and to avoid delays on the overall duration of the job.
• Communication – Communicating with everyone in a work environment has massively improved my confidence and interactions with the wider team.
• Problem solving – to be able to react quickly when a problem occurs and find out the solution.

What are your future aspirations?

• Becoming a fully qualified engineer and knowing my craft well.
• Looking forward to taking on more challenging projects.
• Progress successfully through the ranks at Moortown.

We look forward to following up on Dan’s progress on his apprenticeship journey.

Careers Event for Apprenticeships

 

Moortown Group recently had the pleasure of attending a career event hosted by York College on Monday 1st November. We were thrilled to be invited to this Open Doors event, where hundreds of 16-18 year olds began exploring their possible career options. The College runs this event several times a year, but for us, this was Moortown’s first appearance there. 

Our aim was to engage with lots of students who were open to the idea of a career in construction, especially those who knew very little about what was on offer. Often, so many students do not know or even hear of the roles and opportunities in this industry, and they were pleasantly surprised to hear how they could relate school subjects that they enjoyed to a promising career path. It was particularly fantastic to see several female students enquiring about careers in Engineering and Plant Operations, and being able to speak face to face with our existing apprentices really boosted their interest in pursuing it further. Currently, we have a handful of brilliant apprentices working at Moortown that are at various different stages of their training and learning journey. In the past month, we have recruited another student who is currently studying to be an Engineer and is now gaining work experience with Moortown whilst undertaking his second year of study through York College. 

Why we chosen to taken on a work placement student? 

We felt it was important to give young potential talent the opportunity to see first-hand the realities of the working world. By doing this, they can see for themselves if this is something that appeals to their interests. Work placements give people the chance to have a little taste at what’s on offer, with fairly low risk involved on both sides. In recent years, we have successfully taken on a very small number of students who have stayed with us and progressed onto more senior roles. The business is in a fortunate position to support more individuals who have an interest in construction, and possess a keen ‘work-hard’ ethic. The industry itself needs to keep making a real effort by investing in the next generation in order to prevent a huge skills gap, and providing work placements and apprenticeships is one way of doing so. We want to play our part in supporting future employment. 

How does it benefit our Company?

Many of our employees at Moortown have been part of the company for years and years. We are very honoured to have such a high staff retention, which we believe is testament to the genuine work culture we have here. We see the value in welcoming future generations to our team, who come on board to be nurtured and supported on their career journey, and later become a well-established individual. The benefits are felt by everyone when a company cares about who they bring into their workforce. A lot of our site teams have been brilliant in providing guidance to our apprentices and trainees by taking them under their wing to learn and progress further into the business.

How do you think Students benefit from work placements? 

There are several ways in which students benefit, whether it be from learning about the construction industry all round, the nature of works within the subcontracting sector or learning some technical knowledge. We often hear from our apprentices and trainees that they feel their confidence levels have increased and their communication skills have all improved significantly. The feedback we’ve had has been very positive, and described as an enjoyable experience that can be very challenging but highly rewarding. All of our apprentices have said that they much prefer working in a ‘hands-on’ environment because you learn so much in a short time. Classroom learning provides the theory and assignment structure needed to qualify, but our apprentices have acknowledged that the real learning is out on-site.

Apprentice Diaries: Joe Campagna

Studying a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Quantity Surveying at the Leeds Beckett University, Joe Campagna is an Assistant Quantity Surveyor that came under the Moortown Group wing three and a half years ago. With another eighteen months of study left to complete, Joe talks about his journey so far and why he chose a career in the construction industry.

Read on to hear Joe’s journey!

Why did you choose this vocation?

“All sorts of buildings from around the world inspire me. They represent who we are, the society we are all part of, and crucially stand valiant against the modern world we live in today. Whilst exploring my interest in the construction industry as a whole, I discovered that my interest lies within the procurement and construction of a building or structure, with particular emphasis on the economic, legal, financial and managerial aspects of the process which in turn, led to my desire to become a Quantity Surveyor”.

” I enjoyed learning about maths and finance in school, and have always had an interest in construction and civil engineering from a young age. I like problem solving and the blend between being office and site based is also great. No two days are the same“.

What has it been like working at Moortown Group?

“I joined Moortown Group in July 2018, and have worked on a range of projects. Since becoming an Assistant Quantity Surveyor, I have worked on some projects of my own such as the Bradford Royal Infirmary, which involved building a new maternity ward. Another project I’ve been heavily involved in is the HMP in Hull. This project consisted of implementing new services inside the prison, and has been an interesting and tricky job that I have learnt so much from”.

“I enjoy the cost reporting side of the job as it gives me an insight into the project’s performance.  I also enjoy building a strong relationship between Moortown and the client as this helps the project run smoothly, and good communication between all parties is key”.

What skills have you learnt? 

• Monthly Valuation / Applications for projects; as well as the pricing of variations and Value engineering options
• Cost reporting (CVR Reports)
• Measurement of all elements of Groundworks such as: Drainage, Substructure, Services & External Works. I can undertake this using both traditional and more modern methods such as Bluebeam Revu (Measurement software)
• Communication skills such as liaising with clients and also the procurement of sub-contractors
• The preparation of a Bill of Quantities. Being able to measure and transfer the quantities into a Bill format which coincides with a particular item and rate
• I have expanded my knowledge of managing the costs and budget of a building project from outset to completion.

What are your future aspirations?

• Help deliver large and complex construction projects, being involved in each element of the job and honing in on the surveying skills I have learnt over the years
• Progress as a Quantity Surveyor and into a management role within the business.

We’re looking forward to supporting Joe in his next chapter at Moortown Group.

Apprentice Diaries – Tom Warrington

   

Studying a course in BSc Hons Construction Management at the Leeds Beckett University, Tom Warrington is a Trainee Engineer that has already been with Moortown Group for the past 4 years. He has 1 more year left to complete his apprenticeship before he graduates as a qualified Engineer. Read on to hear Tom’s thoughts on his journey so far and why he chose a career in the construction industry.

Why did you choose this vocation?

“At school I realised my strengths were in Maths and IT, so I began looking for a potential career paths which incorporated both areas. I enjoy these subjects too and it seemed logical to follow my interests which led me to researching engineering roles. From what I’ve understood, Construction appears to be an industry that will always be in demand, and that brings some level of stability and security that my skillset will always be needed”.

What has it been like working at Moortown Group?

“I joined Moortown Group in May 2017, and have had the pleasure of working on a diverse range of projects. Some of these projects include: York Guildhall, Leeds Playhouse, Barbara Hepworth Building at University of Huddersfield, The Majestic Building in Leeds, Amazon Warehouse in Hull and the Melton Police Head Quarters. ”

“I enjoy the responsibility of my role very much, and the reward in progressing gradually project by project and expanding my knowledge in the best way I can. There is a real sense of support and career progression within the company and the industry. The realism of the work you carry out is unlike any University work that’s given to you. It’s invaluable experience.”

“The work culture is ideal. Expectations are high which keeps you motivated and the team is friendly and encouraging. You gain so much experience on site while completing your degree.”

What skills have you learnt? 

• Time management
• Leadership qualities
• Understanding of multiple drawing types
• Understanding of multiple management and engineering principles

What are your future aspirations?

• Completing my University Degree in the not too distance future, along with my NVQ (Level 6 Site Management).
• I’d like to gain as much experience as possible working with lots of different people so I can learn and progress onto a management role.

We’re looking forward to supporting Tom in his next chapter at Moortown Group.

Apprentice Diaries – Jack Keane

 

Jack Keane, is another apprentice working at Moortown who is half way through his course as a Trainee Site Engineer. This involves 4 years of education whilst working full time on site, and doing one day a week at is at the Leeds College of Building.

Read on to hear Jack’s thoughts!

Why did you choose this vocation?

“I was looking at careers whilst still at sixth form and liked the sound of going into construction. Most of my family have taken a similar route and it appealed to me too. I like to be involved in work that keeps you on your feet, being out and about on site and hands on learning works really well for me.”

“I enjoy learning about the processes required to build. It’s challenging and rewarding.”

What has it been like working at Moortown Group?

“I joined in August 2019, and have been fortunate to work on a diverse range of projects such as Yorkshire Evening Post, CAMHS Hospital and several primary schools. I have liked the variety very much.”

“It’s been a very enjoyable experience so far, getting to learn a trade whilst earning and putting it into practice. My responsibilities have increased over time, getting into a routine, more decision making and feeling more confident overall.

 

What skills have you learnt? 

• CAD – spending a couple of days setting up the model and being taught how to read models.
• Cut and fills – carrying out surveys
• Setting out – marking the foundations with spray, picking lines and using lasers.
• Record keeping – maintaining concrete records and drainage.

What are your future aspirations?

“I’m looking forward to becoming a fully qualified engineer and continuing to work in groundworks. I want to learn as much as possible and maybe do a further qualification such as a HND. I’m really pleased I recently passed my supervisor course, I’ve been lucky to work in a place like this, with such a good team of people around me showing me the ropes.”

We look forward to following up on Jack’s progress on his apprenticeship journey.

Apprentice Diaries – Drew Carr

Studying Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment at the Leeds College of Building, Drew Carr joined the Moortown team back in September 2016 as a Trainee Engineer that is looking forward to graduating at the end of this year. 

Read on to hear Drew’s apprenticeship experience!

What has it been like working at Moortown Group?

“There’s been a great mix of engineers to learn from and I’ve felt valued doing real work and not just shadowing my colleagues, but really getting stuck in with the team. They have supported and encouraged me along the way, and I’ve never felt uncomfortable to ask for help if it’s needed. It’s a positive working environment here, and it’s really benefitted my confidence levels”.

Which projects have you worked on? 

• Field Head Hospital, Wakefield
• Biomass Templeborough, Rotherham
• WREN, Hull
• Bannerdale School, Sheffield
• CTAR, University of Leeds
• Sedburgh Sports Centre, Bradford
• Ash Hill School, Doncaster
• East Leeds Free School

Favourite Project?

“I particularly enjoyed working on the Biomass project at Templeborough, Rotherham. I learnt a huge amount, and really felt like a valued member of the Team there. I also really liked working on Bannerdale School, which was my first School project. Again, the team here were really supportive and I was able to make the most of this opportunity”.

What are your future aspirations?

“I’d like to keep working hard within the business, and working on a wide variety of projects. Ultimately, I’d like to progress onto becoming a Project Manager one day”.

We’re looking forward to supporting Drew in his next chapter at Moortown Group.