Heeney Civils has proudly partnered with Colas Ltd to support Victoria Road Primary School, a valued part of our local community. Located within an area where Colas Ltd is currently delivering works, the school was identified as a project that could benefit from some additional support. Colas approached us to see if we could assist, and we were more than happy to help. Supporting local communities is a core part of our values, and having worked alongside Colas Ltd for many years, we have built a strong and trusted relationship that enables us to make a positive impact where it is needed most.
As part of Colas Ltd’s commitment to social value, they asked Heeney Civils to help improve the school’s Forest School area and surrounding grounds. The initial request included general maintenance works such as cutting back overgrown grass, trimming hedges, clearing vegetation and removing debris to create a safer and more welcoming environment for pupils and staff.
Before any work commenced, our Managing Director, Phil Heneghan, and Labour Supervisor, Colin Fahey, visited the school to assess the scope of works. During the visit, it became clear that there were additional opportunities to improve both safety and functionality across the site. Alongside the Forest School improvements, the team identified the need for upgrades to access points, playground areas, a new planter and additional storage facilities for the school.
Phil quickly organised for the works to be completed on Saturday 6th June 2026, with the team arriving on site with a brand-new planter and shed ready for installation. Throughout the day, the team installed the new shed, built and positioned the new planter, cleared and rejuvenated an existing overgrown planter, and extended a downspout to create an overflow system feeding directly into the planting area. To further improve safety around the location, fresh tarmac was laid on the following Monday, creating a safer and more durable surface for the children.
Significant improvements were also made within the Forest School area itself. The entrance was cut back extensively, removing overgrown trees, weeds and grass that had restricted access. To ensure safer access for pupils, concrete was re-laid to provide a smoother and more manageable slope into the area. The team then carefully trimmed back vegetation throughout the site while preserving the natural woodland character that makes the Forest School such a special place for learning and exploration.
Going above and beyond the original scope, the team tackled the heavily overgrown pond area. Entering the pond zone to carry out detailed vegetation clearance, they helped restore visibility and access to a habitat that had become difficult to use. The work will allow wildlife to return and flourish, while giving pupils the opportunity to once again enjoy one of their favourite activities, pond dipping and nature exploration.
The transformation received fantastic feedback from the school and project stakeholders. One teacher, Karen, visited during the works and commented: “Thank you so much for your hard work today. Being able to access the pond again is amazing, the kids love pond dipping and I know how excited they’ll be to get the nets out next week 🐸🦎. What you’ve managed to get done on the playground is also brilliant. We’re meant to be a bee friendly school so we can get planting now and hopefully attract some bees before we break up for summer 🌻🐝. Thank you, Karen ☺️”. Gill Carr, Social Values Co-ordinator, also praised the team’s efforts, saying: “The Headmistress from the school is over the moon, thank you to the team for their hard work, the transformation of the forest school is amazing.”
Phil Heneghan, Managing Director of Heeney Civils, said: “Projects like this are incredibly rewarding because they directly benefit local children and the wider community. When Colas approached us for support, there was no hesitation. Seeing the difference our team has made to the Forest School, playground and pond area is something we’re all proud of. Community is at the heart of everything we do and knowing that these improvements will help create lasting memories and learning opportunities for the children makes it all worthwhile.” Heeney Civils is proud to have supported Victoria Road Primary School and looks forward to seeing future generations of pupils enjoy the revitalised outdoor spaces for years to come.
