POLARIS MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

Rastrick High School is a co-educational non-selective Secondary School and although its origins can be traced back to 1621, the school’s current site was established in the 1980s. In 2019, detailed surveys of the school’s roof structures conducted by Eddisons (chartered surveyors) and Bauder (advanced roofing system suppliers) identified that approximately 50% of the buildings’ roofs were failing, with damaging consequences for the school. Water ingress meant that some classrooms were regularly out of action; staff and pupils were walking along dangerously wet and slippery corridors, and caretaking staff were frequently diverted from scheduled maintenance tasks to deal with leaks and flooding. Furthermore, inadequate insulation was adding to the school’s energy costs while contributing little to the soundproofing of the buildings.

Bauder produced a detailed specification for application of its high-performance built-up roof system to waterproof the building and upgrade the insulation to regulatory standards. Everlast was appointed as principal contractor to carry out the installation on 5,500m² of roof.  Since the works were too extensive to be conducted within the school summer holiday, we implemented a range of measures to ensure student and staff safety and minimise disruption.

We scheduled the work over a 29-week on-site period and arranged to carry out the most disruptive works, including site set-up and high-level access, during the school summer holiday. For work that had to be conducted during the school term we agreed a timing and vacant access plan with the school’s management and leadership teams and implemented the work in phases, block by block.

We also collaborated with the school team and consultant developing a site restriction and safety plan. This ensured security arrangements were in place to minimise interface between contractors and school staff or students, gave contractors designated areas for storage, welfare units and allocated parking, and ensured a secure contractor boundary was maintained.

With the roofing now watertight, students and staff can make better use of all the school’s facilities; lessons are no longer disrupted by leaks during wet weather, and the risk of water ingress into electrical equipment is removed. In addition to replacing the failing roofs and upgrading the insulation, the works included the replacement of old rooflights with new modular units. These offer improved light transmission and better thermal performance; classified as ‘non-fragile’, they also create a safer environment for school maintenance staff traversing the roof in future. 

The increased insulation of the roof areas significantly improved the thermal performance of the buildings, reducing energy bills and CO² emissions. It also raised the Dew Point at ceiling level, helping to prevent condensation of the internal windows, and improved noise reduction.

The new roofing system has a lifespan of in excess of 35 years and comes with the confidence of a 25-year warranty covering materials and workmanship.

Everlast Group has worked on a variety of refurbishment and new build across all sectors