When it comes to live school construction in the UK, safety, safeguarding, and minimal disruption aren’t just priorities, they’re non-negotiables. At M&J Group, we specialise in delivering construction, roofing, and refurbishment projects in operational school environments with precision, professionalism, and care.
We understand the unique challenges faced by education facility managers, MATs, councils, and safeguarding leads when commissioning construction projects during term time. From protecting pupil welfare to maintaining day-to-day learning, every detail matters.
Here’s how M&J Group ensures seamless, safe, and successful project delivery in live school settings and some real examples from our work with schools across the UK.
Why Choose M&J Group for Live School Construction (UK)?
With over 45 years of experience and hundreds of education projects completed, we’ve developed a trusted, refined process for working in operational schools. Our approach is collaborative, flexible, and 100% safeguarding-led.
We’ve worked with major academy trusts, local authorities, and educational frameworks to deliver construction and roofing works without compromising on safety, learning, or timelines.
Our Proven Process for Working in Operational Schools
1. Pre-Project Planning with School Leaders & Safeguarding Teams
Before any works begin, we engage closely with school leaders, MAT executives, and safeguarding leads to align on:
- Access and egress routes
- Safeguarded zones and segregation
- Noise mitigation strategies
- Timetabling around key events or exams
- Communication channels (daily briefings, updates)
✔ Safeguarding risk assessments are embedded in every plan.
✔ Site logistics are tailored to the school’s operational needs.
2. Robust Site Set-Up with Clear Separation
We install secure hoardings, signage, and controlled access points to ensure full separation of construction areas from pupil and staff zones. Our teams are DBS-checked and trained in working around children.
- Dedicated contractor welfare units
- Zoned delivery and storage areas
- Fire and emergency routes maintained at all times
3. Flexible Scheduling Around Term Time Pressures
We adapt working hours and high-impact activities to suit school schedules, including:
- Quiet works during exams or assemblies
- Deliveries outside school drop-off/pick-up times
- Phased works to contain works and minimise disruption
- Intrusive works undertaken during holidays, at weekends or planned in advance to allow for adjustments to school operations.
4. Continuous Communication
Open dialogue is key to trust and smooth delivery. Our site managers provide:
- Regular progress updates to stakeholders
- Daily checks with safeguarding leads
- Transparent issue resolution
5. Post-Project Support and Handover
We pride ourselves on clean, disruption-free handovers. All snagging is completed efficiently, and documentation is supplied to meet DfE and MAT standards.
Recent Live School Projects by M&J Group
Here are just a few examples of how we’ve delivered safely and successfully in live school environments:
Ely College (Cambridgeshire)
Scope: £4.5M renovation of the existing four-storey Needham Tower at Ely College. The project revitalised underutilised and structurally challenged upper floors, integrating net-zero sustainable technologies – including a super insulated façade, ASHP, and rooftop solar PV. Internally, a modernised layout supports state-of-the-art teaching and social areas, accommodating East Cambridgeshire’s rising demand for post-16 education.
Approach: Segregated work zones with phased delivery during term and half-term breaks, temporary classroom remodelling and access to teaching spaces maintained to ensure ongoing college operations were not disrupted.
Outcome: Delivered on time with zero safeguarding incidents and minimal disruption to student and staff.
Read full case study: Ely College Project
Lincroft Academy (Bedfordshire)
Scope: Phase 1 of the construction project at Lincroft Academy, finished in Spring 2024, involved the creation of a brand-new activity centre and dining area. This phase also included a complete renovation of the kitchen and an extension of the car park area. Phase 2 completed in May 2026 with a project value of £12.5 million, featuring a new music centre, library, and extra classrooms.
Challenges: Working around live classrooms and ensuring minimal disruption to students and staff.
Outcome: The project was split into phases to maintain academy operations. We installed safety zones and planned noisier works at weekend or during school holidays. Construction of the dining block was carried out with minimal disruption to daily school operations, thanks to an interim kitchen and dining setup in a tented area on the school grounds. Phase 1 and 2 works completed on time.
Read full case study:
Lincroft Academy Project – Phase 1
Lincroft Academy Project – Phase 2
St Ebbes C of E Primary School (Oxfordshire)
Scope: The project involved the refurbishment of the pitched roof areas of this school in Oxford.
Key Features: Fire-safe working methods, zero-flame solutions, and detailed safeguarding overlays. Strict timeframe to complete the refurbishment during the school’s summer holidays in order to ensure no disruption to student’s learning.
Outcome: The project was successfully delivered within the restricted timeframe of the school’s summer holidays. Careful planning and extended working hours were required to meet deadlines, working around the many school programs/clubs.
Read full case study: St Ebbes C of E Primary School Project
Safeguarding First. Always.
For us, safeguarding isn’t a box-ticking exercise, it’s embedded in our culture. Every M&J Group team member working on school sites is:
- Enhanced DBS checked
- Trained in safeguarding and pupil awareness
- Monitored by a site manager with safeguarding responsibility
We conduct weekly reviews with school staff to ensure safety protocols are working and respond immediately to any changes in school activity.
Trusted by MATs and Councils Across the UK
We’re proud to be the construction partner of choice for:
- Multi-Academy Trusts
- Local Authorities and DfE frameworks
- Independent and faith-based schools
- PFI & FM providers
Planning Live School Construction? Let’s Talk.
If you’re preparing for refurbishment or expansion during term time, trust the experts in live school construction UK.
We’ll work with your team to design a programme that puts pupils first, without compromising on quality or timelines.
Call us: 0808 168 6040