EducationEducation SectorProject Services

Towers School & Sixth Form Centre – Flat Roof Compliance Project (Phase II)

Overview

Towers School & Sixth Form Centre serves 1,460 students aged 11–19. The school’s DT Block had flat roofs exceeding 30 years in age, exhibiting widespread water ingress, delamination, and brittle roofing membranes. These defects were disrupting teaching and learning and posed a health and safety risk.

The project addressed these urgent condition issues while incorporating sustainability measures, including a 101 kWp solar PV array to reduce carbon emissions and long-term energy costs.

Towers School - Roof


Key Numbers
& Stats:

Location

Faversham Road, Kennington, Ashford, Kent, TN24 9AL

Project

Replacement of life-expired flat roof coverings with integrated solar PV array

Funding

Condition Improvement Fund 2024-2025, School contribution £47,000


Cost

£464,145 (including PV installation and project management)

Duration

July – October 2024

Roof Area

1,142 m² (DT Block)

Challenge

Independent surveys identified life-expired roofing with high moisture saturation, damaged insulation, and obsolete single-skin rooflights. Consequential water damage to ceilings, walls, and floors was ongoing, causing partial closures of classrooms. Previous reactive repairs were costly and ineffective. The school needed a solution that eliminated disruption, improved energy efficiency, mitigated H&S risks, and aligned with net-zero targets.

Solution

A multi-factorial options appraisal recommended overlaying the existing roof where feasible, supplemented with full replacement of saturated areas. Works included:-

  • 30-year SBS built-up felt system with upgraded PIR insulation achieving U-value of 0.18 W/m²K.
  • Replacement of obsolete rooflights, perimeter fascias, and guttering.
  • Safe access provisions for ongoing maintenance.
  • Integration of a 101 kWp solar PV array generating 80,000 kWh/year.

The project followed JCT Minor Works Building Contract 2016, with professional oversight by Carré Consultancy, ensuring compliance with CDM 2015, Building Regulations, and statutory consents. Works were scheduled during school holidays to minimise disruption.

Outcome

  • Roof restored to full weathertightness, eliminating water ingress and internal damage.
  • Enhanced thermal efficiency and reduced annual energy costs (~£83/year per roof section).
  • Solar PV array contributes to operational carbon reduction, supporting Trust’s Net Zero 2035 target.
  • Reduced annual maintenance expenditure by £2,000.
  • Health and safety risks mitigated through upgraded materials and safe roof access.
  • Teaching environment stabilised, allowing uninterrupted curriculum delivery.

This project demonstrates how condition-led works can simultaneously address urgent infrastructure needs and sustainability objectives, delivering long-term value for both the school and the wider community.

Client Testimonial

“All of the Carré staff that we have worked with have been highly professional in all aspects of the deliverance of our projects, they have ensured the projects have run smoothly and have responded quickly to any concerns or queries. We were kept well informed by email / telephone / meetings as the projects progressed and all documentation received was clear, concise and of good quality. The amount of time the school had to be involved in the project delivery was minimal.”
Clare Parker, Towers School Academy Trust

  • Project Scope

    Replacement of life-expired flat roof coverings with integrated solar PV array.

  • Project Scope

    Replacement of life-expired flat roof coverings with integrated solar PV array.

  • Project Scope

    Replacement of life-expired flat roof coverings with integrated solar PV array.



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