External and Internal Refurbishment of Longhoughton Primary School
Highlights
Client: Pele Trust
Location: Longhoughton Primary School, Longhoughton, Alnwick
Brief: Design, tender and manage the external and internal refurbishment works of Longhoughton Primary School over a 6-week summer holiday period.
Role: Overseeing the design and management of the works process.
Outcome: The project included a comprehensive refurbishment of the external areas, including the renewal of car park surfacing and associated drainage infrastructure to improve functionality and longevity. Internally, the existing heating system was replaced with a modern, energy-efficient installation, while the corridors and communal spaces underwent extensive refurbishment, incorporating new ceilings, lighting, wall finishes, floor coverings and joinery elements. The works were successfully completed within programme, enabling the school to resume teaching activities following the summer break without disruption.
About Pele Trust
Founded in 2019, Pele Trust is a multi-academy trust bringing together schools across Northumberland and North Tyneside to enhance education through partnership, collaboration and shared learning. The Trust takes its name from the historic Pele Towers of the English Scottish border, symbolising strength, protection and trust. Its core values include excellence, integrity, openness, positivity, compassion, optimism and humility, while its guiding principles are underpinned by the Nolan Principles of Public Life, promoting high standards, accountability and service to local communities.
The Challenge
Longhoughton Primary School is a typical 1960s single-storey timber-framed cellular building, which had not benefited from any significant upgrades or refurbishment works since its original construction. The condition of the facilities and finishes were aged and extremely tired and were even highlighted by a member of the teaching staff, who remarked that she had attended the school as a pupil and that much of the internal fit-out remained unchanged. The principal challenge of the project was to maximise the extent of refurbishment works that could be delivered within the constrained six-week summer holiday period. This required meticulous planning, programming and coordination to ensure that the available timeframe was utilised as efficiently as possible, enabling a substantial package of improvements to be completed while ensuring the school was fully operational and ready to welcome pupils and staff at the commencement of the new academic year.
Our Approach
We considered our clients requirements, and through planning, programming and coordination, we were able to ensure that the available timeframe was used as efficiently as possible, enabling a substantial package of improvements to be completed while ensuring the school was fully operational and ready to welcome pupils and staff at the commencement of the new academic year.
What We Delivered
- Newly surfaced car park, and access road.
- New surface and below ground drainage to the access road and car park.
- New field drainage to soft landscaping surrounding the building.
- Complete replacement of the existing heating system throughout the school.
- Replacement of all fire doorsets and ironmongery throughout the school.
- Replacement ceilings and lighting throughout the corridors and communal areas.
- New wall linings and decoration throughout the corridors and communal areas.
- New carpet and vinyl floor coverings throughout the corridors and communal areas.
- New staff room kitchen and staff toilet fit out.
- Compliance with Building Regulations.
The Outcome
As a result of the works, staff and assistants were able to return to the school in good time, which allowed them to fully prepare and welcome pupils at the commencement of the new academic year.
The Value to Pele Trust
- Maximised improvements within a constrained programme.
- Delivered a modern, fit-for-purpose learning environment.
- Eliminated disruption to teaching activities.
- Extended the operational life of the building.
- Improved energy efficiency and reduced running costs.
- Reduced future maintenance requirements.
- Enhanced the quality of communal and circulation spaces.
- Improved safety and functionality of external areas.
- Increased value from the client’s capital investment.
- Boosted staff and pupil satisfaction with the facilities.
- Future-proofed key building services and infrastructure.
- Improved the overall appearance and condition of the school.
How this project shows why Education Clients Choose Method BC
- Proven ability to deliver complex projects within short school holiday periods.
- Vision to consider and transform an ageing school environment.
- Expertise to maximise the client’s investment.
- A dedication to improve building performance and longevity.
- A desire to create a modern learning environment for pupils and staff.
