Educational Building Foundations

Our Experience in the Educational Sector

At Aarsleff Ground Engineering, we understand that educational buildings are more than just structures, they are the foundation for future generations. With decades of experience delivering advanced foundation works and systems in the residential sector, we have supported educational building foundations for construction projects across the UK.

Our reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation makes us a trusted partner for contractors, property developers, and local authorities. We’ve worked on a variety of educational schemes, delivering piling, retaining wall systems, ground engineering, and specialist works.

Contiguous Pile Wall at Leeds University Business School

What Types of Institutions Do We Work With?

We work closely with clients on construction projects for the following educational establishments and institutions:

Nurseries
Pre-schools
Primary schools
Secondary schools
Special schools
Independent and private schools
Boarding schools
Academies
Further education colleges
Universities
Student housing and accommodation

Retaining Wall Systems

In educational settings, especially those on sloping ground or confined urban plots, retaining walls are often a critical component of site design. Aarsleff offers a range of innovative retaining wall systems for structural reliability, such as:

Every retaining wall system we deliver is carefully engineered to meet the specific geotechnical and architectural needs of the project. We also work closely with main contractors to ensure compliance with local regulations and sustainability goals.

Piling Solutions

Piling is at the core of what we do, and it’s often the most critical early phase of an educational build or extension. We offer a comprehensive range of piling solutions tailored to suit ground conditions, structural requirements, and programme constraints. These solutions include:

Our in-house design team ensures the most efficient piling method is selected based on thorough site investigation and project parameters. We’re also known for our speed and reliability, which helps keep programmes on track, especially when builds need to align with academic calendars.

Aarsleff's Banut 700 rig being operated to install square precast concrete piles on a construction site.

Ground Engineering Techniques

In addition to piling and retaining walls, Aarsleff also delivers ground engineering techniques for educational building projects. Our early engagement often enables main contractors to consolidate packages, reducing the number of subcontractors and streamlining communication and scheduling. We specialise in:

All of our groundwork operations are delivered to the highest safety standards, with a focus on minimising disruption to existing educational operations. Our teams are highly experienced in working within live environments and adhering to safeguarding protocols.

Two professionals overseeing soil stabilization during drilling and grouting operations, demonstrating expertise in the drilling and grouting technique for soil engineering in the field of civil engineering.

Our Educational Building Projects

Let’s take a look at some of the educational building projects that Aarsleff has been a part of over the years.

Highgate Infant School

Close-up of Aarsleff's yellow Junttan PM 16 pile driving rig. A worker in safety gear guides the rig operator.

Location: Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England

In 2019, Aarsleff completed the driven precast piling works for a classroom extension at Highgate Infant School in Kings Lynn. The school required 12 piles for the extension, and E.N. Suiter and Sons Ltd awarded Aarsleff with the contract to install them.

The extension site, located in the school's playground area, had a small footprint and restricted access. We deployed our bespoke Banut 300 midi-rig for the project, which features a lower bearing pressure and a more compact design compared to standard piling rigs. Our team were able to deploy, install and demobilise from site within the two day schedule.

Shakespeare School

Aarsleff performs drilling and grouting works with specialised machinery. One worker operates the rig while two workers observe the works.

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

In 2017, Leeds City awarded BAM Construction Ltd North East the contract to construct a two-storey new build primary school and associated external works at Shakespeare Primary School in Leeds.

BAM Construction Ltd subsequently awarded Aarsleff the foundation works for the scheme. This included driven steel tube piling, drilling and grouting of shallow mine workings beneath the main school building, as well as soil nailing to the car park and nursery retaining walls. The foundation works began in August and finished in October.

Solent University

Location: Southampton, Hampshire, England

In 2017, Aarsleff was awarded the sheet piling contract by Morgan Sindall Construction to facilitate a new sports building at Solent University’s city centre campus in Southampton. We installed 76 No. 700mm Arcelor steel sheet piles, each 12.5 meters long, along with one single box pile measuring 15 meters in length to form the cantilever retaining wall, which was designed by Arup Design.

Our team supplied, handled, pitched, and drove the sheet piles using vibratory installation techniques, complete with pre-augering as needed. A total of 110 tonnes of steel was used to construct the sheet piled wall, providing support for the adjacent backfill.

Lincoln University Student Accommodation

Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England

In 2005, Nottingham-based property developer, Bournston, constructed two new purpose built pre-let, fully managed blocks of student apartments and studios to support the growing student population at Lincoln University.

Working with main design and build contractor, North Midland Building Ltd, Aarsleff were contracted to install over 340 precast concrete foundation piles for the construction of the new development houses.

The second development began shortly afterwards. Following successful work on the first development, Aarsleff installed over 1000no, 250mm square section piles in lengths of 6-13m for the new student village.

Speak to Aarsleff About Your Project

If you’re planning a new educational development, extension, or refurbishment, partnering with Aarsleff Ground Engineering ensures a solid start to your project. We combine technical excellence with proactive project management, offering solutions that reduce cost, risk, and programme time.

Our services are scalable and adaptable, whether you’re working on a small rural school or a new university building. We bring the same commitment to quality, sustainability, and collaboration to every job we undertake. Speak to us today to discuss your project’s needs.

Two workers in bright orange vests and PPE install a steel pile.

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A leading UK ground engineering specialist, focusing on multi-discipline excellence and value engineering. We design and deliver some of the UK’s largest ground engineering projects.

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Our vision is to bring confidence to those constructing the landscape of tomorrow .

1947. Central Jutland, Denmark. Per Aarsleff borrowed 10,000 Danish Kroner from his father’s life insurance, bought an excavator, and founded Northern Europe’s leading contracting company.

Our biggest asset, our team is composed of the leading experts in ground engineering. Working with collaboration and cohesion at the core of our business, we can guarantee a quick and founded answer to all your questions.

We recruit and reward our people based on our ‘Step into the Blue’ company culture, where we embrace the core values of Life and Health, Trust, and Responsibility.

We do everything to ensure our team and yours work safely on our sites. With our core value of Life & Health, we see safety as a cultural pillar.

Our ISO accreditations are an assurance to you that we take governance seriously. Read our policies to discover more.

The projects that keep society running. Bridges, buildings, transit and rail facilities, embankment support, marine and offshore facilities, mines, airports, and water projects.

Close-up view of steel reinforcement cages at a construction site. A yellow KLEMM drilling rig is in the background.

Keeping things turning. Sewage Treatment Works, Waste Water Treatment Works, Wind Farms and Wind Turbines, Biomass Plants, and Power stations.

Aarsleff's Junttan PM 20HLC piling rig in operation with two workers present. Another piling rig can be seen in the background.

Meeting society’s needs. Nursing and care homes, MOD buildings, Schools and Universities, and small or large-sized residential developments.

Three piling rigs positioned on a muddy site under a blue sky. Construction workers are seen near the rigs.

Staying on the move. Remediation, bridges, and foundation work are integral to keeping the industry running smoothly.

Aarsleff worker kneeing down on one knee with a yellow piling rig and concrete piles in the background. The worker is wearing high-visibility clothing and a white hard hat.

The landscape of the marketplace. Mega-retail sheds, distribution warehouses, University accommodation, and major supermarket and household name units.

Keeping things afloat. Ports and harbours, coastal defences, river embankments and inland waterways.

An aerial view of the Port of Hanstholm.