Education

Education Construction & Refurbishment Specialists

Delivering inspiring, low-carbon learning environments that minimise disruption, protect safeguarding, and provide absolute certainty.

Education environments shape outcomes far beyond the classroom. They influence learning, personal growth, and wellbeing, serving as the proving ground for future generations.

To succeed, these spaces must be safe, inspiring, sustainable, and delivered with absolute certainty, often within live, complex campuses and under strict funding and term-time deadlines.

Stepnell is a trusted delivery partner to schools, colleges, universities, multi-academy trusts, and local authorities nationwide. Over the last four years, we have delivered 110+ education schemes with a combined value of £157m, spanning early years and specialist SEND provision through to state-of-the-art sixth form centres and world-class higher education facilities.

 

Trusted by Education Providers

Our collaborative, ‘no surprises’ culture aligns closely with the operational priorities of education leaders. This commitment is reflected in our 9.2/10 average client satisfaction score and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 60—placing us in the top 5% of UK construction companies.

We maintain long-term partnerships and repeat framework agreements with:

  • Higher Education & Research: University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, University of Worcester, University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, Nottingham Trent University, University of Leicester, and Bournemouth University.
  • Independent & Grammar Schools: Eton College, Rugby School, Marlborough College, Oundle School, and Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School.
  • Further Education & Sixth Form Colleges: Loughborough College, Leicester College, New College Swindon, Itchen College, and Moulton College.
  • Local Authorities & Multi-Academy Trusts: Surrey County Council, Warwickshire County Council, Dorset Council, Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, United Learning, and Lionheart Academies Trust.

Featured Projects

View more

Belper School and Sixth Form Centre, Re-roof and Re-wire

“The service, communication and quality of work were fantastic throughout the programme. The site manager, Kane Foster, worked closely with our staff and was very responsive to any requests working flexibly to accommodate our needs as a working school. We felt we had a very positive working relationship with Stepnells and their door was always open.

I wish to thank the construction team for all their hard work and professionalism over the project. Any disruption was kept to a minimum and communication between school and the team was strong throughout. The work has had very positive impact on the school environment and rooms are now much more pleasant to learn in since the work was completed.”

 

 

Nick Goforth, Headteacher, Belper School

Loughborough College, Sports Hall

“Stepnell was selected from day one through an open tender process, and they have been absolutely key to delivering this outstanding facility. The level of workmanship Stepnell has delivered here is outstanding, ranging from the cladding system and brick wall detail all the way through to the strength and conditioning suite floor and ceiling grid options.

What makes the building truly outstanding includes the elements you don’t see; the mechanical and electrical work has really delivered on solar panels and sustainable heat source pumps. This is a state-of-the-art building for the future that without a shadow of a doubt delivers everything we want for the next 20 years, providing students with spaces like a Premier League standard handball facility designed specifically around their ability to develop performance skills.”

 

Dale Richardson - Executive Director of Estates, Loughborough College

Aylesford School, Refurbishment Project

“Stepnell consistently demonstrated a clear understanding of our vision: restoring Aylesford School into safe, high-quality, modern learning environments. Throughout a complex project, they delivered high-specification spaces that will benefit our students and staff for years to come.

What stood out most was their collaborative approach. Stepnell worked in genuine partnership with us, maintaining day-to-day school operations safely while bringing added social value to our community. We are proud of what we’ve achieved together and confident we had the right partner for this project.”

Anna Orme - Director of Operations, Aylesford School

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, Sixth Form Learning Centre

“The learning resource centre was a complex project where we were dealing with limited space and a live site where normal school day to day activity had to continue.

From pre-construction contract engagement to building strong stakeholder relationships and engaging pupils on careers in construction, Stepnell’s quality of service far exceeded our expectations.

By keeping disturbances to a minimum and the ability to adapt and pivot where necessary, this led to a very successful conclusion where all required outcomes were met. We simply wouldn’t have the amazing building that we have now for our students without Stepnell.”

Graham Swindells - Finance and Operations Director, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School

Contact us

For your education needs

Our team of experts is always ready to listen to your concerns and provide solutions that fit your unique situation.

Send us a message

Use the form below to send a quick message.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Privacy policy(Required)
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.