Students at Sandymoor High School, Ormiston Academy in Runcorn, are now enjoying a brand-new outdoor learning space, thanks the North West’s leading civil engineering firm, PAS NW Ltd. 

This much-needed project was made possible through PAS’ partnership with Vistry Group, with whom they are actively working on sites in Helsby, Cheshire, and Partington, Manchester, as a preferred supplier.

The story behind this outdoor area is one of community commitment and quick action – two of the business’ core principals.

As within just five days, the PAS team, led by Senior Construction Manager, Gary Hall, and Site Foreman Shane Allen, with the help of Apprentices James Briers and Joshua Yates, transformed a neglected patch of grass and stone into a vibrant, functional learning area.

The makeover involved stripping back the base, repurposing existing materials, laying new flagstones, and adding fresh artificial turf, all with the goal of creating an inviting and usable space for students and teachers alike.

The site was finished off by horticultural management specialists, Beechwood Industries Ltd.

This outdoor classroom now serves as a valuable space for PHSE students who thrive outside traditional classroom settings, providing them with a place to engage, learn, and explore in a way that suits their needs.

Principal, Mrs Sally Jones expressed her gratitude to the PAS team.

She said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the new outdoor learning space. It has already become an invaluable asset to our school, especially for students who benefit from learning in a more flexible environment.

“PAS NW’s dedication and swift delivery has given our students a unique area to grow, explore, and enjoy their education outside the usual classroom setting. We can’t thank them enough. Gary, Shane, Jamie and Josh worked so hard on this and we’re delighted with the end product."

Gary Hall, Senior Construction Manager at PAS, said:

“Our team worked tirelessly to turn this around in just five days. It was a rewarding project, knowing that we could create a space where students could engage with their learning in a new way.

“At PAS, we’re committed to social value and making a difference in the communities where we work, and this was a fantastic opportunity to do just that."

With the new outdoor learning area now ready for use, PAS is proud to have delivered a project that will support and inspire students for years to come.
Julie Ferns, Social Value Manager at Vistry, added: “This project is a fantastic example of what meaningful partnerships can achieve. At Vistry, we’re passionate about creating positive, lasting impacts in the communities we serve, and the work PAS NW Ltd has done at Sandymoor Ormiston Academy truly embodies that mission."

About PAS NW Ltd.

PAS NW Ltd is a leading civil engineering company based in the North West of

England, renowned for delivering high-quality engineering solutions to some of the UK’s largest house builders.

Founded by Paul Sumner in 2009, PAS NW operates across more than a dozen sites in the region, providing services that span the full lifecycle of civil engineering projects, from pre-development planning to project execution.

With a strong commitment to Health & Safety, quality, and on-time delivery, PAS NW has established itself as a trusted partner in the construction industry.

The company's strategic growth is driven by a leadership team with extensive experience in housebuilding and civil engineering, positioning PAS NW as a key player in the industry.