Helix CMS delivers £2.5m Teaching Facility at South Hunsley School
The East Yorkshire education landscape has taken a major step forward with the official launch of South Hunsley School’s brand-new £2.5 million teaching facility.
Delivered by Helix CMS in partnership with The Education Alliance Trust (TEAL) and designed by Alessandro Caruso Architects (ACA), the project represents a significant investment in the future of education across the Humber region.
Launched at a special opening event on Tuesday 2nd September, the building stands as a benchmark for modern school design, combining sustainability, inclusivity, and innovative construction techniques.
A new era of learning in East Yorkshire
The two-storey development spans 743sqm and provides:
Eight state-of-the-art classrooms
A welcoming reception hall
Administrative spaces
Toilet facilities and supporting plant rooms
Designed with the needs of pupils and teachers at its heart, the new facility embodies safeguarding, accessibility, equality, and diversity standards - ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Building sustainability into education
What makes this building stand out is its commitment to environmental performance. The new South Hunsley facility has been delivered to a sustainable excellent aspirational standard, focusing on a fabric-first approach.
Key environmental features include:
External wall insulation and high-performance windows for improved energy efficiency
Roof U-Values designed for insulation and reduced energy demand
PV solar array on the roof to harness renewable energy
Timber shingles integrated into the façade to connect with the landscaped backdrop
Large classroom openings to maximise daylight, ventilation, and wellbeing
Natural louvre systems on the south-facing façade to reduce solar gains
Concrete floor plates providing high thermal mass for energy-efficient heating and cooling
Retention of all existing trees on site, alongside new tree planting for a biodiversity net gain
By using modern methods of construction, including offsite fabrication of the steel frame structure (SFS), Helix CMS delivered the project faster, more efficiently, and with reduced waste.
“Our vision was to create a building that not only provides high-quality teaching spaces but also embodies sustainability and wellbeing,” said Alessandro Caruso, “Working closely with Helix CMS and TEAL, we’ve designed a facility that futureproofs education at South Hunsley while minimising environmental impact.”
Delivered in 38 weeks with zero compromise on safety
Constructing a large-scale facility within a live school site presented unique challenges. Over the 38-week programme, the Helix team worked around school operations with robust safeguarding measures, including:
Enhanced DBS checks for all staff
Bespoke inductions for every operative and visitor
Stringent segregation of site works from the school community
This approach meant pupils and teachers remained safe, while disruption to daily life was kept to a minimum.
Social value beyond the build
For Helix CMS, construction is about leaving a legacy. Alongside the build, the project included a range of social value initiatives:
Time Capsule Project: SEND pupils created drawings and memories to be buried at the opening, preserving a snapshot of school life for future generations.
Work Experience: Year 11 students gained hands-on experience both on site and in Helix’s offices.
Site Tours: Over 240 Year 9 pupils visited the live construction site, sparking curiosity about careers in construction.
“Projects like South Hunsley represent why Helix exists - to deliver spaces that make a real difference for local communities,” said Ross Bellingham, Commercial Director at Helix CMS. “Working alongside ACA and TEAL, we’ve created a facility that reflects both the immediate needs of South Hunsley and the long-term vision for sustainable, inclusive education spaces in our region.”
Investing in local education
The project was supported by £1 million S106 funding from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, aligned with the Brough South Development planning application. In just five years, Helix CMS has delivered more than 30 projects across the Humber region, including:
A £20m award-winning Community Diagnostic Centre
A £7m state-of-the-art ICU at Hull Royal Infirmary
Fast-track COVID-19 wards to support the NHS during the pandemic
Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said: “I am delighted that South Hunsley School is benefiting from a fantastic new teaching block. The new block is part-funded through Section 106 housing developer contributions, and is a great example of how communities and educational infrastructure can benefit from new housing developments. The council negotiated the contribution as part of the planning process with the developers, to create lasting benefits for local young people and their families.”
Looking ahead, Helix remains committed to supporting local education trusts, delivering specialist SEMH and SEND spaces, and continuing to invest in sustainable healthcare and education facilities that improve lives across the Humber.
The future of education infrastructure
South Hunsley’s new teaching facility is more than just a building — it’s a blueprint for the future of sustainable school design. By combining progressive architecture, modern construction methods, and a strong social value programme, Helix CMS has proven that construction can be smarter, greener, and more community-focused.
Michaela Blackledge, Head teacher of South Hunsley School and Sixth Form said: “This marks the realisation of a vision and I am immensely proud of a facility that will stand for generations as a beacon of what communities can create through strong partnerships.”
Want to learn more about how Helix CMS delivers sustainable education and healthcare facilities? Get in touch with the team today.
