The school occupies a site with a mix of buildings from different eras. Newer buildings at the rear of the site benefit from modern cladding whereas the older buildings at the front were in need of a modern refresh that would enhance the entrance and approach to the school
The answer was a partial cladding of the front elevation, paired with a full replacement of the existing windows — single-glazed metal Crittal frames that were well past their useful life.
The decision to clad the front elevation in a style consistent with the newer rear buildings was both a practical and aesthetic one. It created a more cohesive feel across the site while significantly improving the visual impact of the school’s main entrance — the first thing pupils, parents, and visitors see every day.
The window replacement was equally important. The new windows — serving classrooms and administration offices throughout the front of the building — have delivered meaningful improvements across all of these areas:
- Thermal insulation: A significant upgrade in energy efficiency, reducing heat loss and helping to lower running costs.
- Ventilation: Improved controllability, supporting a better learning environment throughout the year.
- Acoustic performance: Reduced noise ingress from the road.
- Solar glare: A solar reflective coating limits glare from direct sunlight, improving comfort for both pupils and staff.
The transformation has been striking. What was once a dated frontage now looks entirely modern and it has been delivered through thoughtful refurbishment alone.
Following the success of Phase One, the school committed to a continued programme of improvement. Phase Two — now complete — extended the window replacement works further across the school. Phase Three, currently under way, brings the programme to the rear of the site, ensuring the benefits of modern glazing are felt across the whole school.
