Warden’s delivery of the Lea Community Primary School expansion marked a significant investment in education and community enrichment.

Commissioned by Lancashire County Council and completed over two phases, this £3.5 million project doubled the school’s intake capacity through a new four-classroom extension, as well as extensive refurbishments to the kitchen, library, and Key Stage 1 areas.

The project also delivered a new suite of state-of-the-art outdoor facilities including an all-weather playground, interactive zone, and sensory garden, enhancing physical development and inclusive learning.

Community engagement remained central throughout the two-year build. Warden’s team delivered interactive workshops with pupils during both phases, ensuring the school remained an inspiring environment for children while under construction. Another social value highlight was the creation of a new sensory garden within the school grounds featuring planters, a sandpit, weaving frame, a pathway and viewing area, delivered with the support of our supply chain.

We also supported school events including the summer fair and Christmas party with prize donations and worked closely with the school community to ensure minimal disruption while delivering long-term value.

Social value summary

Strengthening communities

Warden delivered lasting value to pupils and families by:

• Hosting two engaging school visits during Phases 1 and 2, including storytelling, safety talks, LEGO-building and interactive planning sessions with children to improve engagement and reduce disruption.
• Donating £350 in prizes to support the school’s summer fair and Christmas celebrations.
• Running construction-focused sessions as part of the school’s Inspiration Week, designed to help children explore future careers in a fun, age-appropriate way.
• Harnessing the expertise and resources of our supply chain team to create a sensory garden within the schools grounds, as well as donating leftover timber and materials for use in a school allotment project.
• Ensuring all site staff had access to Warden’s Employee Assistance Programme, offering 24/7 mental health, legal, and bereavement support throughout the project.
• Supporting an official opening event on project completion, attended by Warden staff and providing further opportunities to engage the local community.

Driving environmental responsibility

Environmental measures were built into every phase of the project:

• An air source heat pump and rooftop solar panels were installed on the extension, lowering the school’s energy use and utility bills while reducing its long-term carbon footprint.
• Warden staff followed the company’s green transport plan throughout, using hybrid or electric vehicles and car-sharing to reduce emissions from site visits.
• 30 trees and 10 bushes were planted as part of the landscaping works, regenerating green space and improving air quality for pupils and staff.

Empowering local employment and skills

Warden continued its mission to build opportunities for local people:

• 95% of employment on the project was sourced locally, exceeding the 90% target.
• A total of 16 apprentice training weeks were delivered across trades including bricklaying, plastering, painting and joinery, supporting practical skills development for the next generation of construction professionals.

Through this project, Warden aimed to show how school infrastructure can become a catalyst for broader social, environmental and educational value, benefiting the Preston community for years to come.

Warden has appointed Ian Powell as head of group development, marking a significant step forward in the company’s regional growth strategy.

Ian brings over thirty years of experience in the construction industry, most recently serving as head of development at Lowbury Construction Ltd, where he worked for eight years.

Ian will work closely with teams across the company to develop lasting client relationships and drive long-term, strategic growth.

He will lead business development efforts by strengthening our presence across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, while accelerating our expansion into Cheshire.

He will also be responsible for ensuring that growth initiatives align with our core values and strategic direction, while elevating our profile across public and private sector markets.

Ian Williams, managing director, said: “Welcoming Ian to the team marks another important milestone in Warden’s journey. In recent years, we’ve expanded both our operations and the sectors we support, and it was important to find someone with the experience and industry relationships to help us build on that momentum.

“His appointment ensures we remain focused on delivering sustainable, long-term growth across the North West and we’re confident that his leadership will play a key role in the next chapter of Warden’s success.”

Ian’s career is defined by his leadership in construction innovation. He recently developed the Carbon Reduction Initiative, a data analysis tool designed to help companies minimise their carbon footprint during site surveys. It won “Innovation of the Year” at the 2024 Constructing Excellence Awards.

Ian Powell added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape and expand Warden’s already strong client base. I’m excited to be supporting the company’s growth into new markets while building on the work already being done in Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

“Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to build a strong network within the construction industry. My focus now is on raising awareness of Warden’s capabilities and making sure we continue to deliver exceptional service to some of the most respected names in the sector.”