MIM Knowledge Quad

KNOWLEDGE QUAD

A multi-purpose learning space in South Wales
supporting the Mutual Investment Model
schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Take a look at our largest Knowledge Quad in the UK - a dedicated industrial unit in South Wales driving skills, employment, education and discovery...Contents

Thank you for reading about our Knowledge Quad on the MIM Projects in South Wales.

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Delivering better than ever

The Mutual Investment Model (MIM), delivered by the Welsh Education Partnership Company (WEPCo), is a scheme that includes the design and construction of three new schools in South Wales for RCT CBC.

However, unlike many other school projects, the contract includes a 25-year operation and maintenance commitment – a commitment that has called for quality standards higher than they have ever been before.

In order to help deliver the assurance that the integrated team, along with the supply chain, could deliver upon this, a brand-new industrial unit lease was purchased to act as a hub for quality and skills engagement.

Branded up as a Knowledge Quad, the unit included construction of full-scale rooms, including a classroom, office and toilet block, including all the fixtures, fittings and equipment – the construction of which helped set the installation benchmark for our supply chain partners and, where knowledge gaps were identified, full technical training sessions were held, to make sure the detailing was exact, before we even hit site.

The Knowledge Quad for the three MIM jobs set out life as a larger-scale quality facility – whilst we have been able to use this as a learning and community hub too, it's been in the delivering of quality standards, mock-ups and technical training sessions that it has more than paid for itself. It’s given the whole team the assurance that we’ll deliver better than ever, so these schools stand the test of time.

Gareth Morgan, Project Manager,
Morgan Sindall Construction

A multi-purpose space

The Knowledge Quad is a multi-purpose space that is driven by innovation, people development and social value. Here, the facilities have enabled us to host workshops for the schools, local colleges, supply chain, client, and the community, as well as constructed full-scale mock-ups of the school spaces to improve quality. Click on the video to learn more.

Ensuring the highest quality

Whilst many of our Knowledge Quads use the space to view renders, samples and visualisations of the clients finished project, the space in this unit enabled us to build full scale mock-ups of the different school rooms.

From cross section wall build-ups to fully finished classrooms and toilet blocks, the MIM Knowledge Quad enabled the teams to bring supply chain, designers and client to workshops where construction details could be viewed, agreed and signed off, way before we hit site.

It has enabled our on site installers to come in for dry-runs on their package of works, before implementation on site. The investment has more than paid for itself playing a key role in air tightness and Net Zero carbon outcomes.

These schools need to last for the next 25 years, so quality has been a really big focus for us. The Knowledge Quad is something that I genuinely think was a brilliant idea. They have taken over a dedicated industrial unit and built-up full-scale sample rooms entirely away from the construction site. This means it’s not hampered by the weather, it’s safer and we’ve been able to hold workshops to create benchmarks, agree detailing and provide training for supply chain and operatives. Stakeholders have taken part in workshops to ensure that what we’ll be building on site, is true and correct, but way in advance of constructing it on site. And that proved to be great learning. The amount of learning that has come out of this has been huge. I genuinely believe that the Knowledge Quad is a huge selling point for any project.

Paul Poole, Project Manager, WEPCo

Education engagement

In addition to the quality assurance side of things, the Knowledge Quad doubled up as an educational engagement centre for the three schools, for local colleges and the community too.

Pupils from all three of the new schools being built have visited the Knowledge Quad regularly to learn more about their scheme.

In addition, they have taken part in STEM events designed to give the youngsters hands on experience of industry trades. So far the teams have committed over 370 hours to these events.

In partnership with our supply chain, this has including brick laying, plumbing, carpentry and career workshops. Some of the older pupils, have also been regular visitors into the building projects, so they can compare what they learnt in the KQ, with the live project on site.

We've brought down the pupils and they have been able to take part in hands on workshops such as electrical, bricklaying and other activities. I think this is invaluable because the interactions with the schools and the community is what creates a lasting legacy. So the ability to bring children here to learn, it’s fantastic and it’s helping create a little spark of interest which is a great feeling.

Paul Poole, Project Manager, WEPCo

I do think its important to build that community sense around the project. So it’s not just coming to build and then leaving – they’re actually part of it. The Knowledge Quad has played a big part in this as it's bridging the learning within the classroom and actually taking it down to real life experience. The pupils have been able to do some activities and look at different jobs in the construction industry. The children are so passionate and they have been so excited because of this.

Sam Logan, Year 6 Teacher,
Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School

About the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) projects

What is the Mutual Investment Model (MIM)?

The Mutual Investment Model is an innovative way to invest in public infrastructure and was designed by the Welsh Government to boost investment in infrastructure, delivered by WEPCo.

In this instance, it involves the financing and operating of three schools over a 25 year period in conjunction with Morgan Sindall Construction and a dedicated FM provider.

Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School

A brand new one form entry school providing space for 240 pupils and 30 nursery pupils over a single storey structure.

Built on a large school site, the scheme is completed in two phases - new build and demolition/external works - and will be net zero carbon in operation.

Penygawsi Primary
School

A new one and a half form entry primary school on an existing school site providing space for 310 pupils plus 45 nursery pupils.

After stabilising old mining ground beneath the site, a two storey school has been built, with extensive landscaping and groundwork to follow. The school will be net zero carbon in operation.

Pontyclun Primary
School

A two form entry primary school on an existing school site, providing space for 480 pupils plus 60 nursery pupils.

The school is constructed over two storeys and included the provision of temporary classrooms during the build. The school will also be net zero carbon in operation.

About
The Welsh Education Partnership (WEPCo)

WEPCo is a joint venture – a long-term partnership – between the Development Bank of Wales (Welsh Government) and Meridiam to design, build, finance, operate and maintain education infrastructure over 25 years.

The objectives of the WEP programme are to establish a stable and long-term partnership that delivers education and community facilities in line with the Well-being of Future Generations Act, providing demonstrable value for money to the public sector and transparency to national and local stakeholders.

WEPCo’s role is to facilitate the delivery of new education facilities (primarily schools and colleges) in Wales using the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) developed by the Welsh Government to finance major capital projects.

Furthermore, the Partnership seeks to develop, invest, and manage projects that offer additional beneficial outcomes for local communities through a bespoke Skills Academy Framework.

Our older pupils have gone down to the Knowledge Quad and the work they have done with Owen Stacey has definitely inspired them. There’s lots of mockups of the school there and they were able to see what their spaces will look like before it was finished. They also did some workshops in the Knowledge Quad as well as learning about building. The involvement we’ve had from Morgan Sindall has been brilliant and the overall experience couldn't have gone any smoother - to be honest, we'll miss them when they're gone, it has been an experience I've really enjoyed.

Tom Lewis, Headteacher,
Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School