Location: The Grove School, Market Drayton
Client: Marches Academy
Project: Major Glazing Replacement
Project Overview
The Grove School, originally established as a grammar school in the 1970s, was in urgent need of a glazing upgrade. While some areas had been modernised in previous years, the main curtain wall sections, along with the windows and doors throughout the school, still required replacement to improve energy efficiency, security, and overall aesthetics.
Challenges
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Working Around Term Time:
The school remained operational during the project, meaning that all major works needed to be scheduled during school holidays to avoid disruption to students and staff.
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Asbestos Presence:
Given the age of the school buildings, asbestos was a known risk. The initial survey reviewed the existing asbestos register and identified the work areas as safe. However, during removal, previously unregistered asbestos was uncovered, requiring immediate assessment by specialist contractors.
Solution
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Comprehensive Planning & Surveys:
Detailed surveys were conducted well in advance to finalise designs and ensure that materials were ordered and ready for installation within the holiday period.
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Asbestos Management & Collaboration:
Upon discovering additional asbestos during the first phase of removal, we liaised closely with asbestos specialists to assess the situation. The affected areas were safely uncovered for specialist removal, and all glazing work was temporarily paused until it was safe to proceed.
Safety Considerations
Collaboration with asbestos contractors ensured that the hazardous material remained undisturbed in other areas of the site.
The asbestos register was updated to document newly identified materials and removal areas.
Due to the necessary delays, the project timeline was adjusted to fit around additional school holidays while maintaining strict safety protocols.
Results
Despite unexpected delays, the glazing replacement was completed to a high standard, with minimal long-term disruption. The Marches Academy was pleased with the outcome, and students now benefit from improved glazing performance, enhancing comfort, insulation, and security within the school environment.
This project demonstrates our ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges while maintaining safety, efficiency, and high-quality results.
