Milefield Primary School

The school’s building envelope consisted of ageing profiled metal roofing systems, fragile rooflights and deteriorating wall cladding that had become increasingly difficult and costly to maintain. Detailed surveys identified widespread deterioration across the roof structure, rainwater systems and weathering details, with several elements presenting an increased risk of water ingress and reduced thermal performance.

Particularly concerning were the fragile rooflight installations located throughout the existing roof. Alongside presenting maintenance and safety challenges, these areas created a potential risk should unauthorised individuals gain access to the roof. Structural investigations also identified the need for significant alterations, including replacement structural steelwork and a complete renewal of the central roof construction.

With the school, Family Hub and associated facilities remaining vital community assets, a long-term solution was required to improve safety, enhance energy efficiency and protect the building for future generations.

The completed refurbishment has transformed Milefield Primary School’s building envelope, replacing ageing and deteriorating systems with a modern, high-performance roofing and cladding solution.

The installation of new insulated roofing systems has improved thermal efficiency and is expected to reduce long-term energy costs, while upgraded waterproofing and rainwater systems have enhanced weather resistance and reduced future maintenance requirements. The replacement of fragile roof elements with modern non-fragile rooflights has significantly improved safety for maintenance personnel and eliminated risks associated with unauthorised roof access and trespassing.

The greatest challenge was delivering the project within a live primary school environment where safeguarding, safety and operational continuity were paramount. Throughout the programme, the school and Family Hub continued to operate, requiring extensive planning and close collaboration with staff, pupils and stakeholders.

Construction activities were carefully phased around term times, break periods and school holidays. Deliveries, lifting operations and plant movements were strictly controlled to avoid peak arrival and departure times, while higher-risk activities were scheduled during weekends and holiday closures wherever possible. Internal crash decks, scaffold protection systems and exclusion zones were installed to protect building users while work progressed above occupied areas, including teaching spaces and the sports hall.

The project team also coordinated their activities alongside separate air conditioning works being undertaken by another contractor, ensuring multiple workstreams could be delivered safely and efficiently within the same operational environment.

Despite periods of high winds, heavy rainfall and extreme temperatures, the team maintained programme momentum through careful planning and flexible working arrangements. Weekend and holiday working played a crucial role in ensuring the project remained on schedule while minimising disruption to pupils and staff.
Throughout the project, Central maintained a strong focus on community engagement. As a gesture of appreciation for the school’s cooperation during the refurbishment, Christmas gifts were provided to all 300 pupils, reflecting the positive relationship developed between the project team and the school community.

Central Group delivered a complete refurbishment of approximately 2,000m² of roofing and cladding systems, combining structural alterations, roof replacement, waterproofing and façade improvements within a single coordinated programme. The project included liquid and metal roofing systems.

The centrepiece of the project was the complete replacement of the existing apex roof. Following the installation of new structural steelwork, a new Euroclad Elite 7 built-up roofing system was constructed incorporating Joris Ide structural decking, high-performance insulation, vapour control layers and aluminium profiled roof sheets. New Brett Martin non-fragile rooflights were integrated throughout the roof, improving natural daylight while eliminating the risks associated with fragile roof constructions.

Lower roof areas were refurbished using the Alumasc Caltech UV liquid-applied waterproofing system, providing a seamless reinforced waterproofing solution designed to extend service life and minimise future maintenance requirements.

Alongside the roofing works, Central renewed rainwater goods, flashings, fascias, soffits and perimeter details while overcladding high-level elevations with modern insulated cladding systems. A permanent Soter fall arrest system was also installed, providing safe future access for maintenance personnel and supporting the client’s long-term asset management strategy.

The completed refurbishment delivered a fully integrated building envelope solution backed by long-term manufacturer warranties, including 20-year waterproofing guarantees and a 25-year fall protection warranty.