Topic Awards, Custodial
Date 30 Apr 2025
Galliford Try Building Southern has been shortlisted for this year’s Constructing Excellence London and South East (SECBE) Awards for Oasis Restore Secure School in the Regeneration and Conservation category.
The nomination recognises projects that demonstrate excellence in achieving better outcomes for an existing asset including culture/people, productivity, client satisfaction, and delivery of client/community goals and expectations.
Designed by TP Bennett, the £37m project in Rochester, consists of the refurbishment of an existing secure facility, including three residential blocks creating 50 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, two educational buildings and a central services building that houses the administration part of the establishment.
The project generated an overall Social and Local Economic Value (SLEV) exceeding £8.5m. It also, facilitated 88 volunteering hours, 10 career workshops, 19 work placements for students and completed 273 weeks of apprenticeships.
The Oasis Restore Secure School, delivered on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), is England’s first secure school to be commissioned by the Government. It is the first of its kind in the UK representing a significant policy shift in the rehabilitation of young offenders aged between 12 to 18 and establishing a new standard for secure schools in the UK. The secure school model is set to be replicated nationwide, highlighting its broader societal significance.
Gavin Bridge, Managing Director for Galliford Try Building Southern, commented: “The Oasis Restore Secure School stands as a pioneering effort in the rehabilitation of young offenders, and we take great pride in contributing to a project that not only transforms an existing facility, but also sets a new benchmark for secure educational environments across the UK. The positive impact of this project both socially and economically demonstrates our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve."
Winners will be announced on 26 June at the Royal Lancaster, London.