Building Schools for the Future - Barnfield South Academy

Contractors, Wates Construction Ltd employed Thermo-Floor to provide underfloor heating and cooling to this new state of the art £30 million two storey academy in South Luton. The Academy provides stimulating and exciting learning opportunities for 1,450 students. Brass manifolds were incorporated into the underfloor heating and cooling design.

Barnfield South Academy

The use of underfloor heating and cooling is greatly benefited in schools for its safety, space saving and energy efficiency.

Part of the original Luton Building Schools for the Future programme, Barnfield South Academy was a £29million project completed by Wates Construction in early 2011.

The new build project consists of a three storey Academy for 1450 pupils. The scheme includes general and specialist teaching spaces, Assembly Hall, Theatre, Sports Hall, Dance, Drama & Music Studios, Library, Kitchen and dining area. There is also a youth/community area and external courtyards which provide social and informal teaching spaces.

The project was handed over one week early to allow for staff familiarisation and preparation prior to pupil teaching days.

Going beyond building buildings, Wates engaged closely with the local community on this project. Resident newsletters went out regularly, the site team hosted pupil and staff visits, and local pupils were taken on for work experience. Apprentices were taken on locally, and our project team used local labour and supply chain. Working closely with the local authority, our teams also engaged with the Police in reducing local anti-social behaviour.

*** Images provided courtesy of the Wates Group.