M/Jun 2024 • £8 also in this issue: Sustainability The sustainable buildings & estates forum (sbef) - a must-attend event Paint How the correct choice of paint can improve sustainability in education M&E Decarbonisation programme could save 227.5 tonnes of CO2 annually also in this issue - hee magazine: Historic restoration: Stunning transformation of Rhodes House, working to the designs of Stanton Williams Fire safety: Best practice guidance on how new safety standards impact on fire doors Energy saving: Green tech company finds 23% energy savings at University of Liverpool Landscaped learning hub promotes well-being Loader Monteith with Studio SJM have completed a new vocational learning centre for Harmeny Education Trust
educationdab.co.uk 3 VAT on fees fails the common sense test RISHI Sunak’s July election call has dashed the hopes of many parents of private school pupils who were praying the poll would take place at the end of the year. Deferment until then would have pushed the impending VAT imposition into the 2025-26 school year. But no such luck. Labour will surely be in power on July 5, and slapping 20% on school fees for the start of the autumn term is among the Day One steps promised by Sir Keir Starmer, who shows no signs of reneging on his calculated assault on private education. It is, sadly, one of the most short-sighted political decisions of modern times. Consider the consequences for state education, which is meant to benefit to the extent of the £1.5bn supposedly to be raised by the new tax. But instead of benefitting, state sector schools will be besieged by parents beseeching head teachers to admit their privately educated children. A May survey of parents with children at private schools suggests as many as 224,000 pupils – over a third of the number currently in private education – could leave as a result of the VAT plans, double the previous estimate. How on earth does Mr Starmer suppose already over-crowded state schools will cope with this tsunami of displaced pupils? The report, by the education consultancy Baines Cutler, states that the figures “seriously undermine Labour’s argument that the sector would go through an imposition of VAT on school fees ‘largely unscathed’.” The Institute for Fiscal Studies’ estimate of the size of the exodus is more conservative than the consultancy’s, putting the figure switching sectors in the initial years as between 20,000 and 40,000, but even this would present a serious challenge to state schools. How the public schools respond to the new tax might further lower the number of fee-paying departees. Some schools may be sufficiently strong financially not to impose the full 20% on their fees. Additionally, boarding fees may be exempt, and schools will be able to claim back the VAT they spend on capital projects. Demographics may also come to the aid of an over-subscribed state sector. A think tank report (see page 7) suggests the country’s falling birth rate means many schools in England could be forced to merge with others or close. The Education Policy Institute says that total pupil numbers in statefunded primary and secondary schools are projected to fall from a peak of 7.57 million in 2022-23, and then decrease at an average rate of 1% each year until they reach 7.14 million in 2028-29. The waves of ex-private school pupils may very well reprieve some of those schools which were destined to close in the face of a declining population. But that in no way mitigates the extreme stupidity of Starmer’s VAT step, or lessens the pressures he is heaping on parents, pupils and schools, all for the sake of political dogma. Shaping the evolution of education building design Designed and built by McAvoy, the brand new Merstham Park School in Surrey provides 900 pupils aged 11-16 years with high-quality classrooms, play space, a dance studio, and an all-weather sports pitch. Story pages p10-11 Editor Andrew Pring Sales director Julian Walter Production Nicola Cann Design Sandra Cid Managing director Toby Filby The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication. Publishers Stable Publishing Limited, SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. t. 020 8288 1080 f. 020 8288 1099 e. [email protected] Andrew Pring Editor [email protected]
educationdab.co.uk 5 educationdab.co.uk contents M/Jun 2024 7The country’s falling birth rate means many schools in England could be forced to merge with others or close, says a report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) think tank. 8 Analysis Five questions multi-academy trust CEOs should consider in their estates and FM strategy, by Valerie Miller, Sales & Marketing Director, DMA Group. 10 Design Solutions Shaping the evolution of education building design - designed and built by McAvoy, the brand new Merstham Park School in Surrey provides 900 pupils aged 11-16 years with highquality classrooms, play space, a dance studio, and an all-weather sports pitch. 12 SEND Loader Monteith with Studio SJM have completed a new vocational learning centre for Harmeny Education Trust, located on the Scottish charity’s 35-acre estate south west of Edinburgh. 16 Lighting Rooflights play major part in enhancing pupils’ wellbeing at a new state-ofthe-art Additional Support Needs school (ASN) in East Dunbartonshire. 18 Flooring Wide range of flooring utilised in King’s College Taunton’s new Sixth Form refurbishment.
BUSINESS energy supplier, SSE Energy Solutions, has embarked on an ambitious project to reduce carbon emissions by 90% across 11 Harris Federation academies in southeast England. Funded through the UK Government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), the £14.3m project will overhaul heating systems, building controls, and electrical infrastructure across buildings in South London and Kent. The initiative is forecast to reduce Harris Federation’s collective emissions by over 38,000 tonnes of CO2 - the equivalent of planting 1.73 million trees. Upgrades will include replacing gas boilers with energy-efficient air source heat pumps, installing advanced building energy management systems, and upgrading ageing electrical infrastructure. Renewable energy technologies will also be incorporated where feasible. In addition to the environmental benefits, the project is expected to significantly reduce energy costs for the academies over its 20-year course Grant Widlake, Business Director at SSE Energy Solutions’ Smart Buildings, commented: “Reducing emissions from nondomestic buildings is critical to accelerating the UK's transition to Net Zero and as a dedicated business energy supplier, this is a key focus for our business. “This project with Harris Federation exemplifies our approach to decarbonising buildings - overlaying effective building controls with other solutions like air source heat pumps, solar PV, and battery storage to create substantial emissions reductions. “Our team are experts in conceptualising and delivering low-carbon retrofits across the public and private sectors and want to help many other organisations like the Harris Federation benefit from the opportunities of a lowcarbon building estate.” Tom Webster, director of Estates and Commercial at the Harris Federation, said: “The grant we have received from the Public Sector Decarbonisation scheme is a win-win, enabling us to make significant savings over time and thus plough more of our money directly into children’s education, whilst also playing our part in delivering a net zero future.” 6 educationdab.co.uk news THE multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard will be helping deliver more than 2,500 school spaces across the Bedford region over the next two years. The programme has a projected construction cost of more than £100 million, and includes one of the largest SEN schools in the country, the Rivertree Free School, which is set to complete in August. Delivering 200 SEN spaces, the project runs concurrently with the construction of Willow Grove Primary School in Wixams, providing 840 new primary spaces when released. An extension to Wixams Academy secondary school will also be welcomed to the community in September, delivering 900 additional spaces. Sean Conneely, director at Pick Everard, said: “We’re immensely proud of the work undertaken with Bedford Borough Council to improve school facilities and increase the number of pupil places in the region. The programme’s success has been greatly influenced by a collaborative approach with the entire delivery team, combined with our shared dedication to delivering community value.” Two further projects are also on track for completion in 2025. These include Bedford Academy creating 300 additional places and Wootton Lower School, which is undergoing conversion into a primary school, with an extra form of entry creating 300 additional places. Moving into 2026, there will be further works on Wootton Upper School turning it into a secondary school with an additional 450 pupil places. Further school extensions are in the feasibility phase. Energy partnership to slash carbon emissions by 90% across London trust Pick Everard helping deliver £100m of schools projects in Bedford
Passivhaus extension at Edinburgh’s Trinity Academy gets green light THE City of Edinburgh Council has granted planning permission for a major new Passivhaus extension at Trinity Academy. Listed building consent was also granted for refurbishment and environmental improvement works to Trinity’s original Victorian school building that dates back to 1894 and is set within the city’s Victoria Park conservation area. The project was designed by Holmes Miller, the architects of a new-build sports and outdoor centre for Trinity Academy which opened in 2022. During the consultation process, staff, pupils and the local community indicated their strong desire to retain the school’s original Victorian building, refurbish it and incorporate it into the new design. Now plans are approved, enabling works – including the installation of a temporary classroom and dining units that will allow the school to remain open during the build process – are expected to begin over the coming months. Once a main contractor is appointed, several existing school buildings which are no longer fit for purpose will then be demolished to make way for the new four-storey Passivhaus extension. This will offer modern learning facilities for the school’s 1,200 pupils, while also significantly driving down running costs and carbon emissions. educationdab.co.uk 7 news The country’s falling birth rate means many schools in England could be forced to merge with others or close, says a report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) think tank. Says the EPI: “As pupil numbers fall, many schools will see their budgets contract as a result. However, a school’s costs do not behave the same way. Reductions in class sizes do not bring about proportional decreases in staffing costs, school supplies, energy bills, and the other dayto-day costs of running a school. “Faced with this challenge, some of the most severely affected schools will struggle to stay viable. As these schools feel the squeeze, they will be forced to consider alternatives: mergers with other schools, difficult cost-cutting measures, and ultimately school closures.” The report finds that: • Total pupil numbers in state-funded primary and secondary schools are projected to fall from a peak of 7.57 million in 2022-23, and then decrease at an average rate of 1.0 per cent each year until they reach 7.14 million in 2028-29. • This means that even under a scenario where per pupil funding is increased by 0.5 per cent per year, overall funding would still fall by £1 billion by 20292030. Total funding would peak in 202425 at £42.7 billion but would then decrease by a yearly average of 0.5 per cent until 2029-30, where it would fall to £41.6 billion – 2.6 per cent lower than its peak in 2024-25. • Primary funding will be overtaken by secondary funding in 2026-27. In 2023-24, total funding for primary schools was 5.9 per cent higher than total funding for secondary schools. Primary funding will decrease until it is overtaken by secondary funding in 2026-27, when both funding totals begin a downward trend. By 2029-30, secondary funding will be 1.2 per cent higher than primary funding. • All regions will experience a decrease in primary school funding between 2023-24 and 2029-30, with the North East projected the largest decrease of 9.0 per cent. The East of England is projected the smallest decrease with just a 1.2 per cent drop in funding. • In secondary schools, all regions with the exceptions of Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East, and London are projected to experience an increase in funding between 2023-24 and 202930. The East of England is projected the largest increase at 4.9 per cent. Falling birth rate will force schools to merge or close says think tank Image: Holmes Miller
analysis Five questions multi-academy trust CEOs should consider in their estates and FM strategy CEOs of multi-academy trusts (MATs) have a long list of demanding responsibilities. This includes the challenge of shaping and delivering educational excellence alongside their physical estate; an environment that fosters learning, growth, and success for their students. Creating and maintaining this physical environment involves developing a strategic and robust estates and facilities management (EFM) strategy that balances time, cost, and statutory compliance. Successfully navigating this triad paves the way for an agile and resilient strategy, fostering a safe and conducive environment for the Trust. To lay the foundation an effective EFM strategy, MAT CEOs should factor five key areas for consideration to unlock the full potential of their academies that align with their educational objectives. EFM strategy alignment with educational objectives: To align their EFM strategy with educational objectives, a well-structured approach is crucial. Understanding educational objectives, conducting a needs assessment, and forming a crossfunctional team are foundational steps, followed by the definition of clear strategic objectives, the creation of an implementation plan, and the monitoring of progress ensure effective execution. Collaboration and open communication with stakeholders support the alignment process, whilst continuous review and adaptation will enable MATs to remain responsive to changing educational needs and facility requirements. Centralised or de-centralised EFM services: The choice between centralised and decentralised EFM depends on the MAT's scale, structure, and priorities. Centralised EFM services offer improved coordination, standardised processes, and efficient resource allocation resulting in consistency and accountability in service delivery. It also allows for the pooling of expertise and buying power, potentially resulting in cost savings. A decentralised strategy provides greater autonomy to individual academies, allowing them to tailor solutions to their specific needs and priorities. This flexibility can lead to higher levels of responsiveness and community engagement. However, it may also result in disparities in service quality and resource distribution, and there may be challenges in maintaining consistency and standardization across multiple locations. Self-delivery vs outsourcing: Choosing between self-delivery and outsourcing some, or all, of EFM services offers distinct advantages and disadvantages. Self-delivery grants control, customisation, and potential cost savings, but demands significant initial investments. Outsourcing may provide access to expertise, reduced administrative burden, and scalability, but could result in reduced control and varying service quality. In-house vs external delivery partners: Examining a trust’s internal resources to assess the size, shape and expertise needed to have a fully-in house EFM service needs to be balanced against the potential benefits of entering into a partnership with an external provider. Are there speciality services that may sit outside of the expertise of the in-house capabilities? What detriment could the trust face if met with a service or act that they are not equipped to deal with in a timely or cost-effective manner? Outlining these areas early in the process can help guide decision making. Realisation of cost savings of selfdelivery and associated risk: The realisation of cost savings and associated risks provides valuable insights to develop a comprehensive EFM strategy that optimises resources, mitigates risks, and aligns with the MAT's financial goals and educational objectives. It ensures a holistic approach to EFM management that supports the MAT's overall sustainability and operational efficiency. Incorporating this into the EFM strategy allows a trust to strike a balance between self-delivery, outsourcing, or even a hybrid model. For services where self-delivery offers significant cost advantages and manageable risks, the MAT can prioritise internal management. On the other hand, services with high associated risks and limited cost savings potential can be outsourced to reputable service providers. www.dma-group.co.uk Valerie Miller, Sales & Marketing Director, DMA Group, explains the key areas that will determine the success or failure of a trust’s estate management approach 8 educationdab.co.uk
advertisement feature J&B Hopkins Ltd, the M&E contractor entrusted with the project, understood the critical nature of the deadline. The school's opening loomed in September, leaving little room for error and so partnered with Southern Fire Alarms, a company renowned for its expertise in next-generation fire safety solutions. As time was of the essence, the chosen solution had to be swift to install, reliable and effortless to maintain. With this brief in mind Hochiki Europe's ESP range was chosen; a product line respected for its lightning-fast and accurate threat detection capabilities. The ESP range seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure, eliminating the need for complex, time-consuming modifications. This perfect marriage of speed, precision, and adaptability made it the ideal choice for Livingstone Academy. Over 400 ESP devices were strategically placed throughout the academy, forming an invisible safety network against potential fire threats. The cutting-edge technology woven into the ESP range enables it to detect fire hazards with remarkable swiftness and accuracy. This translates into minimised damage and significantly faster response times in the unfortunate event of a fire. The importance of minimising disruptions in a learning environment cannot be overstated. False alarms can not only be unsettling but also disrupt valuable class time. Here again, Hochiki’s ESP range proved itself to be the right choice. Naomi Fell, a representative from Southern Fire Alarms, commented: “Hochiki's reputation for reliable devices is what drew us to them in the first place. At Livingstone Academy, with such a large number of occupants, minimising false alarms was an absolute priority.” For areas with a heightened risk of fire, such as science labs, Southern Fire Alarms took additional precautions. Hochiki’s ACD Multi-Sensors were deployed in these critical zones. These EN54 accredited fire detection products boast the ability to detect a trifecta of fire indicators: heat, smoke, and CO. This multi-pronged approach ensures comprehensive protection in environments where even a whiff of danger necessitates an immediate response. The ease of installation offered by the ESP range was another detail that resonated with the Southern Fire Alarms team. All ESP devices share a universal mounting base, streamlining the installation process and saving valuable time. As Naomi Fell further elaborates, “We've had the pleasure of working with Hochiki products on numerous projects across diverse sectors for years now. They consistently impress us with their commitment to designing and manufacturing dependable devices that are also incredibly easy to install.” Livingstone Academy’s story exemplifies the perfect synergy between cutting-edge technology, adept planning, and a shared vision for safety. By choosing Hochiki Europe’s ESP range, the school secured an invisible shield, safeguarding its precious community and ensuring that the only bells that ring at Livingstone Academy are those that herald the start of the school day. To learn more about Hochiki’s range of devices for your next school project visit: www.hochikieurope.com Livingstone Academy Chooses Hochiki Europe for Advanced Fire Safety Livingstone Academy Bournemouth, a trailblazer in education, wasn’t just setting new standards for curriculum when it opened its doors for the first time in September 2023. This all-through school, encompassing students from ages four to eighteen, was equally committed to creating a safe and secure environment. With a bustling community of over 1,800 students and staff spread across a unique blend of contemporary buildings and historically significant structures, including a preserved magistrates’ court, a robust fire safety system became paramount.
10 educationdab.co.uk design solutions WITH a remit to significantly reduce the operational carbon of the 6,850 sqm building, McAvoy followed the “Be Lean, Be Clean, Be Green” energy hierarchy for the Department for Education (DfE) “Low Carbon Pathfinder” project. This approach starts with passive design and a fabric-first approach, reducing energy demand at source through passive measures before implementing efficient systems and renewable technologies. With the school being designed using Archicad, McAvoy was able to easily compare different iterations for the modular building. “The flexible and intuitive nature of Archicad meant that we were able to easily create and compare different design solutions,” explains Carlo Angelone, Design Manager at McAvoy. “This was particularly useful during early discussions with planning, where we easily prepared comparative options for cladding, signage and landscaping. This enabled us to submit the final planning proposals with a greater degree of confidence. “Archicad’s flexibility supports the requirements of offsite construction architectural design, which has specific nuances compared to traditional construction methods. For example, the View Settings and Graphic Override features meant we could produce drawings specifically tailored to different parties, such as sub-contractors, suppliers and factory operatives. These drawings, by excluding non-relevant details where not needed, enabled better communication with different members of the team. “In addition, the 3D modelling software allowed the team to simultaneously create all drawings from a single source of truth, which greatly sped up the design process on such a large project.” Prior to manufacturing the modules, the team created a fully federated 3D model which ensured the identification and resolution of several design clashes. By federating architectural, structural steel, mechanical and electrical (M&E), and wall-panel models using Solibri Office, McAvoy could easily relay required modifications to the designs of these elements, to minimise potentially costly rework on the factory floor, via the supply chain, or on site. Once the designers were 100% confident in the model, the school was manufactured offsite at McAvoy’s purpose-built manufacturing facility in Northern Ireland. Made from 178 modules, the school was transported to site and craned into place in just six weeks. This kept noise and disruption to the pupils attending the temporary school on the same site to a minimum - and ensured a fast delivery. Only the sports hall was built on-site, due to its size. In the early stages of the project, the team created realistic renders in Twinmotion to aid communication with the local planning authority to obtain approval. The direct integration with Archicad meant this was straightforward and easy to do. Says Angelone: “The Datasmith Direct Link plug-in for Archicad meant that modifications to the design model in Archicad were instantly updated in the Twinmotion model. Twinmotion further assisted by enabling simple and projectShaping the evolution of education building design Designed and built by McAvoy, the brand new Merstham Park School in Surrey provides 900 pupils aged 11-16 years with high-quality classrooms, play space, a dance studio, and an all-weather sports pitch
separate software. This was achieved using Solibri Office for clash detection (which has an automated plugin with Archicad) and exporting COBie data as part of the client’s requirements. McAvoy’s design team worked closely with the DfE’s professional team to maximise energy efficiency and minimise energy loss throughout the build and beyond. A combination of digital technology and modern methods of construction enabled the reduction of the school’s water demand by more than 30%; operational energy consumption by more than 73%; and carbon emissions by almost 60% of the predicted regulated energy use. Low or zero-carbon technologies also provide up to 44% of peak energy demand of the school. Overall energy consumption was reduced using a wide range of approaches and tools including: high specification glazing, photovoltaic panels, daylight linked lighting control, hybrid ventilation, heat recovery and air recirculation, rainwater harvesting/ water saving systems, a thermally optimised building fabric, using products with lower embodied carbon, flexible, reusable and recyclable modules, and reduced transportation to site. The designers adopted a biophilic approach with the aim of enhancing the students’ sensory connection with the natural environment, improving psychological health and wellbeing, increasing levels of relaxation, concentration and cognitive performance, as well as social activation and motivation to learn. Landscaping is used to enhance the environment and provide natural shading of hardstanding areas. Trees have been carefully positioned around sun boundaries to create a pleasant environment and assist with cooling. In addition, a central, tree-filled courtyard offers pupils a welcoming, comfortable space for dining and social interaction. A range of attractive design features limit the visual impact of the school, including high-specification chameleon cladding on the sports hall, which changes colour and blends seamlessly into its natural environment. Other steps taken to minimise visual impact included creating the impression of a step back in the fenestration and wrapping the top floor in cladding that reflects the sky. The building façade was also stepped out to facilitate increased insulation, providing both an interesting design feature and improved insulation benefits. www.mcavoygroup.com In addition, the 3D modelling software allowed the team to simultaneously create all drawings from a single source of truth, which greatly sped up the design process on such a large project educationdab.co.uk 11 design solutions wide adjustments to materials, lighting and entourage in the presentation images.” The team also relied on Graphisoft BIMx to aid communication with the client. The easy-to-use BIMx files meant the client, GLF Schools, could access the 3D model on their own devices and virtually ‘walk’ around the building, without the need for any different software. By including hotlinks to the 2D views within the 3D model, it made it very clear which elevations drawings referred to. A key aspect of the design of Merstham Park School was the use of data in the model for estimating energy use and calculating outputs for different design options. Archicad gave the team the flexibility to input specific data into the model and use additional plugin software to run a simulation of the building. This generated predictive results which could be analysed to identify the optimal M&E strategy for the project. Data within the model also supported other functions of the project such as scheduling quantities and supporting model coordination and validation using
12 educationdab.co.uk feature THE Harmeny Learning Hub provides a safe and uplifting learning environment for students with complex additional support needs due to early years trauma and adversity. In 2018, to meet the growing needs of their children, Harmeny Education Trust launched a capital fundraising appeal to build new secondary and outdoor learning facilities and expand their services to young people over the age of 14. Where previously the charity has cared, educated and provided therapeutic support for children up to 14 years of age, the new centre expands Harmeny Education Trusts’ capacity to support students aged 14-18 through a new hands-on technology, arts and design curriculum and also support more disadvantaged young people from the wider community. The activities provided from the Learning Hub will instil lifelong, practical career skills the students can build on to achieve meaningful employment in future. Loader Monteith with Studio SJM won the competition to design and deliver the new education space adjacent to Harmeny Education Trusts’ existing Grade-II listed school in 2019. Their winning bid was founded on an idea of the building as an embrace; to embrace the students, the landscape, and the experiential means of education which Harmeny delivers. Following an intense period of fundraising for Harmeny’s “Learning for Life Appeal”, the £3.1m learning centre broke ground in November 2022, and completed in October 2023. The Harmeny Outdoor Learning Hub replaces a pre-existing temporary structure, previously used in the school’s outdoor learning programme. The new centre accommodates four classrooms including a wood workshop, art classroom, secondary classroom and a bike repair workshop and store. A foyer, bathrooms, and staff accommodation are also included within the plan. Sited between two Category-A listed buildings and within a dense, mature woodland, the learning centre is rooted firmly in the principle of wellbeing. Loader Monteith has carefully arranged the L-shape building within the copse, working with surrounding nature to create a calm and peaceful enclave between the building and trees. This considered placement holds true to the architects’ initial competition entry focus of embrace, despite the challenging location, which was layered with tree protection orders. Adept at working in sensitive locations and contexts, Loader Monteith relocated only three trees in an effort to conserve the natural landscape as best as possible. Loader Monteith’s secondary architectural intent was to provide a building low in scale and energy use, wholly appropriate for its setting. The single-story structure nestles into the landscape, clad in slim larch timber that will silver over time and camouflage the school among the trees. Hard wearing muted grey bricks offer a robust palette against the timber, with grey paving continuing along the main walkways circulating around the building, including a cloistered walkway. The Learning Hub is composed of and supported by timber frame construction, plentiful insulation, solar panels, ground source heat pumps, and mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems. At the very core of the project is a desire to provide a safe place in which the children can explore, discover and reflect on their experiences in order to heal and develop skills that will support them into and throughout their adult life. The building acts to support them on this journey. Harmeny sets the tone for the future of education design, demonstrating how prioritising the wellbeing of students and staff can create a truly transformational learning environment. www.loadermonteith.co.uk www.studiosjm.co.uk Learning hub embraces students and landscape Loader Monteith with Studio SJM have completed a new vocational learning centre for Harmeny Education Trust, on the Scottish charity’s 35-acre estate south west of Edinburgh
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educationdab.co.uk 15 event preview THE sustainable buildings & estates forum (sbef) returns this July to provide a networking opportunity for all those involved in delivering environmentally responsible and costeffective buildings across all sectors. Held at The Belfry in the Midlands, in conjunction with our event partners Sustainability West Midlands, the forum is a must-attend event for estates teams and suppliers across the higher education, healthcare, leisure, retail, commercial, and residential sectors. With sustainability impacting every aspect of the built environment – from the planning, design, and construction of new facilities to the operation, maintenance, and renovation of existing stock – this oneand-a-half day networking event will give product and service suppliers the opportunity to meet key decision-makers from across all sectors. The sbef forum – which is held on 11 and 12 July - creates a productive networking environment through which project and supplier delegates can focus on forging long-lasting business relationships through a series of prearranged meetings. And, by matching supplier and project delegate schedules in advance, both parties can maximise their time at the event, with a minimum of 15 meetings. The event also includes a extensive networking schedule including 2 x drinks receptions; a gala dinner and the opportunity to attend a golf day playing off the championship course at the Belfry. The theme and topics of the speaker sessions is “Next steps to net zero” Topics under discussion will include: • Passivhaus and other sustainable forms of construction • Retrofit vs rebuild • MMC – pros and cons • Digital and AI • Funding available for councils, operators for sustainable measures • Net zero carbon buildings standard – update • Brownfield and reutilisation of ground space • Regeneration and how to do this sustainably? Speakers confirmed to date are: Peter Kelly, ISG – The Entopia Buildinginside a world first sustainable retrofit Anna Bright, Sustainability West Midlands – Adapt to survive Janet Smith, Royal Wolverhampton & Walsall NHS Trust – Transition Plan- Its role in achieving net zero Estates Tim Abram, Willmore Iles – Passivhaus. To submit a proposal to speak, please email: [email protected] For more information about this year’s event, or to register your place, please email: [email protected] (suppliers) [email protected] (project delegates), or call 020 8288 1080 www.sbe-forum.co.uk What: The sustainable buildings & estates forum 2024 When: 11-12 July 2024 Where: The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield Web: www.sbe-forum.co.uk Book your place at our Sustainability Forum
16 educationdab.co.uk interiors WHEN the nursery building at Dulverton School in the London borough of Bexley in Kent, showed signs of subsidence, the council chose Mainmark’s Teretek® resin injection technology, rather than traditional underpinning, to treat the problem. Constructed in the 1960s, the nursery building was showing signs of subsidence, with large cracks visible inside the classroom walls and ceiling as well as stepped cracks appearing in the brickwork outside. A geotechnical survey and other investigations were carried out. Part of these were trial pits that were dug out to expose and examine the foundations. It was determined that the subsidence was caused by the clay soil beneath the foundations shrinking during the high temperatures of the long dry summer of 2022. The geotechnical consultants on the project proposed traditional underpinning as a solution. However, as this would have required extensive excavations as well as causing considerable and lengthy disruption to the school, Nicole Burnett, the project engineer from Bexley council specified Teretek® as the solution for ground improvement at Dulverton School. Resin injection technology works by delivering a polymer resin into the soil under, or near to, the foundations suffering from subsidence. For Dulverton school all the geopolymer was injected from outside the building under the full length of the north wall and part of the west wall. Once the liquid was injected, it quickly expanded and filled any voids, cracks and fissures in the soil before rapidly setting to form a solid mass of geopolymer resin at required depths, compacting the soil as a result. Through careful control of the resin mix and volume injected, the load bearing capacity of the ground beneath the foundations was increased. Laser monitoring allowed Mainmark to be able to confirm that they had achieved the 1mm to 3mm lift required at the specific points in the treatment zone. Post-completion, this showed that the ground at depth below the foundations had been sufficiently improved. www.mainmark.com/uk Locker solves schools’ mobile phone headache ALOCKER manufacturer is helping schools navigate the mobile phone headache by launching an innovative storage solution. Phone Safe by Locit is a wall-mounted steel locker with clear plastic doors and locks. The unique design features individual compartments accessible through a central door, making it easy for teachers or safeguarding staff to monitor and manage mobile phone storage. Two distributors from Hull and Coventry have swiftly embraced Phone Safe, placing orders for installation during the last Easter holidays. Richard Williams, CEO of Locit, based in Deeside, said the design addressed concerns raised by educators and parents regarding the distraction and security risk posed by mobile phones in schools. "We understand the challenges schools face in managing mobile phone usage among students. These devices are no longer seen as a luxury but a necessity, allowing children to remain connected with parents and carers. They are safety devices for users that must always be carried.” "Our solution provides a secure storage option and promotes a distraction-free learning environment, allowing teachers to focus on delivering quality education. And they address the loss and theft of expensive mobile phones and other personal devices that students carry to school." The new locker designs come in nests of 3, 4, and 5, catering to classrooms of 24, 32, and 40 students in one place. The 10mm clear door will allow students to see their devices being stored without the worry of them being tampered with and provide peace of mind that no one has access to their device and personal data. www.purelockers.co.uk Resin injection technology for subsidence at Bexley school
educationdab.co.uk 17 interiors Jayne Roughan, National Sector Manager for Education & Retail at Dulux Decorator Centre, explains how the correct choice of paint can improve sustainability in education environments THE Department for Education states that “seeing sustainability brought to life in the buildings around them will allow children and young people to gain experiences, which will enhance and contextualise their learning”. It is therefore important to consider sustainability in every element of the building, right down to the paint on the walls. Paints and coatings are about more than just aesthetics. They play a vital role in maintaining surfaces and cutting down emissions across a building’s lifetime. Every time a building undergoes redecoration, it contributes to carbon emissions. Therefore, selecting durable paints that protect surfaces for longer without the need for regular touch ups can significantly improve sustainability. As well as benefitting the environment, durable paints can also be more costefficient and minimise disruption as they do not need to be re-applied as regularly. When choosing paint, we recommend specifying products that can withstand high traffic and regular wear and tear. It is also important to check how long they are expected to retain their colour, to ensure the finish applied will last. Products, such as Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt are designed to be robust, and feature scuffresistant technology, which will ensure that walls remain pristine, even in hightraffic areas like corridors and gyms. It is also worthwhile checking how easy the paint is to clean and whether it is stain-resistant, as this will ensure any marks can be removed without damaging the paint, and make it easier to maintain the professional finish for longer. Although Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions from decorative paints make up a relatively small fraction of the UK's pollutants (just 1%), they still have a notable environmental impact and affect indoor air quality. VOCs are chemical vapours that can be found in fuels, cleaning products, soft furnishings and even paints. Exposure to high levels of VOCs can have negative effects on the health of the applier and occupant. This often means that areas need to be ventilated during and after redecoration, resulting in areas being out of use for longer. To minimise disruption and ensure a healthier and safer environment for staff and students, select water-based paints. They can be used for both walls and trim and offer a sustainable alternative with lower VOC content compared to solventbased options. Modern water-based paints also provide the durability once associated with solvent-based products, while speeding up the delivery of projects thanks to their quick drying times. As students come and go every year, spaces need to be adaptable and suitable for all needs. Therefore, selecting the right colour and designs is paramount to make them useable for years to come. Carefully selecting paint colours is essential in educational environments, as they can significantly influence the atmosphere and functionality of classrooms and other learning areas. In fact, research shows that wellchosen colours can enhance academic performance, boost creativity, and improve behaviour among students. What’s more, for Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) students, the right colours can create a more comfortable and less overwhelming environment, helping them to focus and learn. Selecting joyful and uplifting colours such as Lilac Skies or Sweet Embrace™ can help to create a comfortable and friendly learning environment that can motivate students and reduces stress. When it comes to developing an effective colour scheme, it’s important to consider factors like natural light. For example, warmer tones should be used in northerly or eastern facing rooms while cooler shades should be placed in southerly warmer spaces. www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/paintspecification The role of paint in sustainable design
18 educationdab.co.uk interiors Wide range of flooring at King’s College Taunton’s new Sixth Form School WHEN King’s College Taunton, a private school in Somerset, decided on a large flooring upgrade and refurbishment for its Sixth Form School, the architect for the project suggested using the flooring and interior specialists Gerflor. Rud Sawers, Director, Rud Sawers Architects, explained: “In 2016, Rud Sawers Architects won a design competition to design a new Arts building on the site. This was completed in 2018 and was received very positively by the client and the pupils. We were invited to compete for a new commission to design a new Sixth Form building, and were selected as the architect.” The project provides a new, contemporary, low energy Sixth Form, set within the historic learning environment of Kings College. The building is modern, flexible, inspiring, technologically advanced, sympathetic to new learning strategies and anchored in sustainable energy principles. Gerflor Specification Sales Manager at the time of the installation, Chris Pursey said: “Rud Sawers Architects initially specified Creation 55 LVT for the reception and stairways but approached Gerflor to discuss other areas within the project. We talked about the whole project, and following that discussion, we were commissioned to also supply carpet tiles, safety flooring and flooring accessories, together with stair edgings and entrance matting. Specifying Gerflor and Gradus throughout the project saved considerable time compared with dealing with multiple manufacturers, and the client was extremely pleased with the vast range of products to choose from within our portfolio.” The project would comprise a combination of Gerflor’s Urban Myth Carpet Tiles from Gradus for Classrooms, Creation 55 LVT for the Reception and Stairways, and Tarasafe Impression safety flooring for WC facilities, alongside a selection of Gradus accessories, including BasicZ Stair Edging and Boulevard 7000 Matting for the education facility. The overall project would ultimately see 800 sqm of new flooring installed. Commenting on the project, Rud Sawers said: “The real challenge with this project, was working through the Covid Pandemic, maintaining construction momentum and meeting the brief for carbon Net Zero operations head on, which we achieved with a great degree of success.” The installation of the flooring was carried out by Bristol-based Gollop Contract Flooring. Matt Donovan, Contracts Manager, Gollop Flooring commented: “We have worked in partnership with CG Fry, the contractors for this job, on several flooring projects.” Part of the building was on a concrete base and other sections on a timber base, which required different preparation works to ensure correct installation of all the flooring products. Donovan added: “Our lead fitter Jamie Hook did a remarkable job on the installation and working with the site team over a period of six weeks. This was an iconic project to be involved with. Every flooring installation can have its unique challenges but overall, this one was extremely straightforward to lay, thanks to the technologically advanced solutions that were specified.” www.gerflor.co.uk www.gradus.com www.rudsawersarchitects.com www.gollopflooring.com www.cgfry.co.uk/contracting
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20 educationdab.co.uk m&e Air source heat pumps support Academy Trust decarbonisation programme THE Priory Federation of Academies Trust has embarked on an impressive decarbonisation programme to save an estimated total of 227.5 tonnes of CO2 annually from three of its Lincoln academies with the support of Oakes Energy Services and nine Remeha Air Source Heat Pumps. Renewable energy installer Oakes Energy Services has collaborated with heating and hot water solutions specialist Baxi to help to decarbonise the academies’ sports centres. Sports facilities, particularly those with swimming pools, have high energy demand. The decarbonisation programme currently encompasses three of the Trust’s academies: Lincoln Academy, Witham Academy and LSST Academy, where gas boilers were previously heating the water in the pool and Air Handling Units. Keen to cut its carbon footprint, the Trust approached Oakes Energy Services to help develop proposals to decarbonise the sports centres at the three schools. The designs, which illustrate the expected carbon savings, were then used to securing funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme operated by Salix. In total, the design of the entire scheme is expected to save 227.5 tonnes of CO2 a year, equivalent to planting 7,000 trees. The proposal for each academy was designed bespoke to the individual requirements in each building, but all involved retrofitting Remeha air source heat pumps (ASHPs). Remeha is part of Baxi. At Witham and LSST Academies, two Remeha ASHPs now supply all the heat demand in the building, feeding underfloor heating and radiators, and providing hot water for the changing rooms and the swimming pool plant. At Lincoln Academy, which has a larger 25-metre swimming pool, five Remeha ASHPs supply heat to calorifiers for the hot water system as well as to the swimming pool heat exchanger in what is the first phase of the decarbonisation programme. Director Nik Smith at Oakes Energy Services said: “We are very familiar with the Remeha brand – the products are fantastic, the design support and service from the Baxi sales and specification team is great, and the technical back up they offer is simply unrivalled.” A further advantage for the Oakes Energy Services team was the ready availability of the air source heat pumps. Smith explained: “As with all school projects, we were working to a tight, fixed deadline. Having the Remeha heat pumps in stock was a big selling point as we had more time to complete the project ahead of the start of the new term. “In addition to on-site technical support during the installation stage, Baxi also provided pre-commissioning support and commissioning to meet the handover date.” Rob Erwood, Commercial Sales and Specification Director at Baxi said:“The focus on low carbon design is now critical for all public sector buildings in line with ambitious government decarbonisation targets. We are proud to play a part in this project, collaborating with Oakes Energy Services to help the Trust achieve its carbon reduction ambitions with our Remeha air source heat pumps.” Remeha ASHPs are available in multiple outputs for single or cascade options, providing flexible solutions for all commercial applications. Specially designed for Northern Europe climate conditions, the Remeha ASHP range achieves a high supply temperature of up to 65°C flow temperature, making them suitable for use on new build and retrofit projects. www.remeha.co.uk/Products/HeatPumps/Heat-pump-1
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