The Highway – Heating Replacement

Key Facts:

Client Name: The Highway School
Location: Orpington, Kent
Type of client: Primary School
Services provided by M+C: Surveying | Planning Services | Procurement | Project Management | Funding Application Management
Value: £377,628
Contractor: SW Bruce and Co
M+C Lead: Jack Haine

The Highway School is a single form entry primary school located in Orpington, Kent. The school are part of the local Sola Multi Academy Trust, and currently has around 220 students on roll. In late 2016, the school engaged Munday + Cramer to complete a condition survey on the existing antiquated heating and ventilation system, with a view to securing funding to replace it. They found that the system’s condition had deteriorated over the years to the point where a complete break down was a real threat. Additionally, heat transfer around the building was poor resulting in some of the teaching areas becoming unbearably cold during winter, and excessively warm in summer.

Using this survey as evidence of need, M+C set about preparing an application for Condition Improvement Funding to enable the school to replace their ailing heating system. Munday + Cramer’s building surveyors designed and tendered the proposed solution. S.W Bruce submitted the most competitive bid and M+C provisionally secured their services, pending funding decision.

The successful proposal included new heating pumps, pipework, and controls. This would enable the school to control the temperature of the building effectively, as well as making maintenance cost savings. Furthermore, the inclusion of a heat recovery ventilation system would ensure the distribution of warm and fresh air to all areas of the school.

The funding application was successful and preparation works started in the summer term. The bulk of the work took place during the school’s summer break in order to minimise disruption to learning. Since the completion of the project, the school is a much more comfortable environment for their students staff and visitors.