Building Futures – Our Commitment to Empowering the Next Generation

For over 70 years, Playle & Partners LLP has been dedicated to shaping the future of the construction industry by empowering the next generation. As a multidisciplinary construction practice, we have a proud legacy of fostering talent across the professions through apprenticeship schemes, work placements, work experience and professional training opportunities. Our commitment to nurturing individuals at every stage of their careers is more than a tradition; it’s a key part of who we are.

By investing in people, we cultivate not only skilled professionals but also confident, innovative thinkers who are ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. We are proud to have been recognised through numerous awards for our dedication to training and staff development.We take pride in creating pathways for growth and success. Whether mentoring aspiring apprentices or offering continuous learning for seasoned professionals, we ensure everyone has the tools to excel. At Playle & Partners LLP, our commitment to education doesn’t just build careers—it builds a stronger, more sustainable future for the communities we serve.

Fostering Talent – Our Apprentices

At Playle & Partners LLP, we recognise that the future of our industry is shaped by the talent we nurture today. As part of our ongoing commitment to education and professional development, we are proud to highlight the exceptional training opportunities we offer. This commitment is integral to not only the success of our projects but also the core ethos that drives our company forward.

Education is central to the way we operate at Playle & Partners LLP. We understand that a well-rounded, highly skilled team is the key to delivering innovative solutions for our clients. To that end, we place a strong emphasis on fostering talent through various training routes. Our approach to learning is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of our employees, ensuring that each person has the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.

One of the cornerstone training routes we offer is our apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships are an ideal way for individuals to enter the industry and gain hands-on experience alongside professional learning. We work closely with our apprentices, providing them with invaluable mentorship and guidance as they develop their skills. This program reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for individuals to start their careers on the right foot, with the knowledge and experience to thrive in their chosen field.

In addition to apprenticeships, we are committed to supporting further education through university sponsorship. We believe that higher education plays an essential role in shaping well-rounded professionals who can bring fresh perspectives and innovation to our projects. Through sponsorship, we provide financial and academic support, helping students balance their studies with real-world application. We also recognize the importance of work-life balance, offering time off for studying to ensure that our team members can successfully manage their academic and professional commitments.

At Playle & Partners LLP, we understand that learning doesn’t stop once an individual completes their formal education. We offer exceptional continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities, ensuring that our team members continue to grow throughout their careers. We provide access to a comprehensive training portal, which includes both internal and external resources. These resources are tailored to meet the evolving needs of the industry, keeping our team at the forefront of new technologies, methodologies, and industry standards.

Our commitment to education extends beyond our office. We are actively involved in local schools and communities, conducting workshops and assemblies to inspire the next generation of professionals. These outreach programs provide students with valuable insights into the world of architecture, design, and engineering, and offer them the opportunity to explore potential career paths. By engaging with schools, we aim to encourage young people to pursue careers in STEM and related fields, helping to cultivate a future workforce that is both skilled and passionate.

Ben Beer, Michael Coulson and CharlieSims give their thoughts below on their training experiences at Playle & Partners

Creating the best environment for success – our work in the education sector

Playle & Partners LLP is renowned for its expertise in creating bespoke educational spaces, offering tailored architectural solutions for both mainstream and specialist schools. Their diverse portfolio includes a range of projects that cater to varying educational needs, from primary schools to facilities for Special Educational Needs (SEND) students.

Notable projects include Longlands Primary School in Sidcup, where significant alterations and additions were made to a locally listed building. The challenge of completing these works while the school remained operational was met with careful planning and phased implementation, ensuring minimal disruption to teaching activities.

At Summerhouse PRU in East Dulwich, Playle & Partners provided a modular solution to expand teaching space with minimal impact on the school’s day-to-day operations. The modular classroom for six students and a withdrawal classroom for two were quickly assembled on-site, facilitating a swift, efficient expansion.

Another key project, Sellindge Primary School in Kent, involved designing a modular extension that added six classrooms, along with essential facilities such as storage and WCs. The design also improved parking and created landscaped play areas, increasing the school’s capacity by one form of entry and providing a modern, functional teaching environment.

Playle & Partners has also worked extensively in the SEN sector, such as with Clarendon SEN School, a 77-place facility designed for students with complex learning needs. The practice conducted a comprehensive viability study to explore various options for site development, ultimately delivering a design that met the school’s needs for flexibility and sustainability.

The Hailsham Reefway Primary School, part of the Ropemaker’s Academy in East Sussex, is another significant project. This award-winning three-storey facility caters to students with SEN and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The design includes classrooms, therapy spaces, and outdoor areas, supporting both educational and therapeutic needs. Playle & Partners also provided Employer’s Agent and Quantity Surveying services for the project.

In addition, Playle & Partners has worked on school expansion projects, such as at Mandeville Primary School, where a new two-storey block increased the school’s capacity to 2FE. The project included classrooms, group rooms, and a large hall, along with internal refurbishments to accommodate the growing pupil population.

Finally, at St Olave’s Grammar School, Playle & Partners managed the third phase of a roof replacement project, showcasing their expertise in delivering building works within live school environments.

Through these projects, Playle & Partners continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating high-quality, adaptable, and sustainable educational spaces that meet the needs of both students and staff across London and the South-East of England.

In a major effort to address the growing demand for educational provision for children and young people with special educational needs, the London Borough of Wandsworth appointed Playle & Partners to lead the coordination of feasibility studies and on-site works across seven existing school sites. This landmark scheme, which commenced in 2022, sought to expand support for students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, and other Special Educational Needs (SEN) across Key Stages 1 to 4.

Read our article about the development via the link below:

Investors in People Gold

We are thrilled to announce that Playle & Partners has once again achieved Investors in People Gold status for the third consecutive time. This prestigious accreditation is a testament to our ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive and high-performing work environment for our team. Since first achieving Gold status in 2017, we have consistently maintained these high standards, reinforcing our dedication to employee development, well-being, and organisational excellence. This achievement

highlights our focus on continuous improvement and the exceptional culture we strive to cultivate within our practice.

Charities we supported this quarter

For the third quarter of this year, our practice voted to support the following initiative:

St Olave’s Grammar School– Wellbeing Garden

St Olave’s Grammar Schoolis a local school who we have worked with for a number of years. We assisted them in reaching their fundraising goal for the creation of a new garden space designed to promote student well-being and mental health. The school has shared their appreciation for this new garden, highlighting its positive impact on students’ overall health and providing a tranquil environment that encourages relaxation and reflection.