Phoenix Primary School and Nursery, part of the Lee Chapel Multi Academy Trust in Basildon, faced numerous challenges caused by their ageing estate. With some roofs over 60 years old, sections of the buildings were suffering from severe water ingress. Teachers were resorting to placing buckets in classrooms during heavy rainfall, and in multiple areas the spaces had become unsafe for students and staff.

Through three consecutive years of successful CIF funding applications, M&C delivered a full flat roof refurbishment project in carefully sequenced phases. This approach enabled the school to manage budgets more effectively, minimise disruption to learning and secure long-term improvements across the entire estate.

The Challenge

The school’s original roof, over 60 years old, had reached a critical state of deterioration requiring urgent replacement. Large areas of the roof were failing, resulting in persistent leaks and widespread water ingress that had begun to cause serious knock-on consequences throughout the building. Classroom closures had become unavoidable due to unsafe conditions, and the presence of electrical risks could result in a full school shutdown. Structurally, the Woodwool deck had sustained significant damage, whilst saturated and inadequate insulation was causing substantial heat loss and driving up energy costs through poor thermal performance. The waterproof coverings had expired and were well beyond the point of repair, making full replacement the only viable solution.

A series of condition surveys confirmed the extent of the issues and the immediate need for a strategic, multi-phase solution.

The Solution

M&C secured three successive years of CIF funding and delivered a site-wide programme of flat roof refurbishment works designed around safety, longevity, and minimal disruption to students.

Phase 1:

The first phase focused on the most urgent areas, replacing failed coverings and installing a tapered insulation/decking system to improve drainage, resolve leaks, and begin improving thermal efficiency.

Phase 2:

The second phase targeted the highest health and safety risks, preventing further classroom closures and eliminating the most severe water ingress. This phase also enhanced the school’s thermal performance, supporting reductions in electricity use and energy bills.

Phase 3:

The final phase resolved structural concerns, including replacing sections of the degraded Woodwool deck. A new roofing system was installed across the remaining areas, backed by a 25-year guarantee on the coverings and designed to last at least 40 years.

Throughout each phase, works were planned around the school timetable to ensure a safe environment and minimise disruption to teaching and learning.

The Outcome

The full refurbishment delivered significant and long-lasting improvements across the entire school site. All roof leaks and water ingress were completely eliminated, restoring a safe and fully weatherproof envelope to the building. Where the Woodwool decking had deteriorated beyond repair, structural integrity was fully reinstated through like-for-like replacement, ensuring the long-term stability of the roof structure. The works also delivered a marked improvement in thermal efficiency, reducing energy consumption and lowering the school’s operating costs going forward. With a greatly reduced maintenance burden and the minimised risk of future classroom closures, the school can now focus its resources where they matter most. To provide long-term reassurance to the school and trust, the completed works are backed by a 25-year warranty.

The main benefit to the school was the impact to the schools poor thermal performance. The existing roof was falling short of the required standard, with heat escaping at rates far above current standards. This was due to the insulation that had deteriorated over time and become waterlogged, meaning the building was working much harder than it should to stay warm.

By installing new insulation and a high-performance new roof, the school now holds heat more effectively in the winter, stays cooler and more comfortable during warmer months, and uses less energy day to day.

Looking further ahead, the new roof carries a 25-year guarantee and is expected to last at least 40 years. That’s a long period of reduced maintenance, fewer interventions, and less disruption — all of which adds up to a more sustainable outcome over the life of the building.

Taken together, these improvements have genuinely transformed the school into a more comfortable, cost-conscious, and environmentally responsible place to learn and work — with benefits that will be felt for decades to come.

Most importantly, Phoenix Primary School now has a safe, dry, and comfortable learning environment for all students, supporting educational continuity and long-term estate sustainability.