Exploring Oxford North: a site visit with Oxford Brookes University’s School of the Built Environment

Oxford Brookes University’s School of the Built Environment recently arranged a site visit for their first year students to Oxford North.

The 45 students had an opportunity to immerse themselves in Oxford’s largest development site and integrate academic study with practical experiences.

They met with representatives from Thomas White Oxford, Stanhope, Hill Group, Careys and Laing O’Rourke and saw first-hand the on-site construction activity including the A44 infrastructure improvements, and plans for the new public park, carbon-efficient new homes, and laboratory and workspace buildings.

Victoria Collett, development director, Thomas White Oxford said: “This was a great way for future construction professionals to gain insight into how large scale projects are implemented, both in terms of design elements and sustainable solutions. We welcomed their questions and interest in our project.”

Jeremy Price, senior lecturer in construction and building surveying, Oxford Brookes University added: “Thank you all for delivering such a rewarding and insightful student visit to the Oxford North development.

“The blend of information about the development coupled with an immersive site experience was exactly what this group of students needed at this early stage in their construction education. For most of the cohort, this was the first experience of a construction site and its wider development context, and the many positive comments I have received confirm that the visit has achieved and exceeded all our objectives.”

Alice Jardine, ESG executive, Stanhope added: “The whole Oxford North team were impressed with the students’ enthusiasm for the project and their level of questioning about so many different aspects, in particular how we’re building as sustainably and efficiently as possible. It was a unique opportunity for our future built environment professionals to integrate academic study with practical experiences.”

Andrew Neary, site manager, Hill Group, who helped to initiate the visit, added: “This significant project is being built for Oxford, so to be meeting construction students studying on our doorstep is both exciting and rewarding.

“Many of the students today will be with us on-site in the future and starting their careers in this fantastic industry. My thanks to the team for taking the time to explain our project and their paths into their careers.”

Find out more about Oxford Brookes University’s School of the Built Environment.