Challenges For Academies

The Prime Minister’s desire to convert all schools into academies will not have come as a surprise to many observers…

The trend towards ‘self-governing’ schools has been well established, stretching back to Tony Blair’s administration in 2000. The original intent was to drive up standards by replacing failing schools in struggling local authorities.

This is probably the reason why the academy status is largely fixed in the public’s mind as being predominantly about independence, but that really only tells part of the story.

Academies are still publicly-funded schools which operate within a framework designed to promote innovation, raise school standards and increase levels of achievement for all children.

They have greater autonomy than traditional state schools in areas such as delivery of the curriculum, setting staff pay and conditions, and changing the length of school terms and school days.

However, as with other state schools they are still required to follow law and guidance on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions, and to collaborate and share facilities with other schools and the wider community.

A major consequence of the academy status is the added pressure it places on governing bodies to run their own affairs and get value for money. This extends to both day-to-day costs and the upgrading or adding of new facilities – basically turning academy trust board members into project and facilities managers.

Many academy conversions coincide with a period of investment, a move to new premises or the renovation of existing ones. Even beyond the conversion process, the figures concerning school renovation are massive. In February 2015, the Government confirmed that 277 schools would have at least one of their buildings (or blocks) rebuilt or refurbished through the second phase of the £2.4bn priority school building programme, designed to improve the most needy schools.

Schools Minister David Laws said of the programme: “Vital building work is taking place at schools in the worst state across the country. We are making excellent progress with 14 school buildings complete and all 261 schools to be completed by the end of 2017.”

It means that those responsible for school buildings need a greater knowledge of the processes and possibilities around everything from architecture, finance, energy provision, building contractors and yes, fenestration.

“We find that schools are dependent on specialist advice,” says Mike Latham, director of commercial sales at Granada Secondary Glazing. “Their primary focus is on delivering the best environment for their children, and we have to guide them through the options available.”

Granada is currently on-site at Wirksworth Junior School in Derbyshire, where secondary glazing is being fitted to provide state-of-the-art thermal insulation. Secondary Glazing continues to grow in popularity, in no small part thanks to its unique soundproofing and draught prevention capabilities. For schools, which characteristically feature large or multiple windows, the benefits of improving the thermal performance of the building is clear.

“We’re generally talking about larger spaces,” says Mike. “A small room may be easier to maintain at an even temperature, but the typical classroom requires considerable numbers of radiators and loses heat quickly – windows play the major role in that.”

At Wirksworth, vertical sliders are supported by robust spiral spring balances, which also adds ease of opening and closing. At other locations where the company has been employed, such as the London schools Highgate and Sir John Cass Preparatory School, acoustic as well as thermal insulation is the aim.

Noise reduction is one of the most regularly commented on benefits of secondary glazing. Unlike homes, schools buildings are covered by stringent legislation. The rules, the Education (School Premises) Regulations 2012, stipulate minimum standards for school premises, including: “Each room in a school building must have acoustic conditions and insulation against disturbance by noise appropriate to its normal use.”

The Education (School Premises) Regulations also stipulate that ventilation capable of providing at least eight litres of fresh air per second per occupant is required for all teaching areas, and that all workplaces should be adequately ventilated to provide sufficient quality of fresh or purified air and to prevent the build up of stale, hot or humid air.

“Such rules guide schools against just sealing up windows,” adds Mike, “so the addition of a secure inner panel that also allows access to the original frame for ventilation is another benefit.”

Schools and colleges are also covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which outline provisions that must be made in relation to the work environment. Provisions that are covered by these regulations include staff rooms, weather protection, noise, lighting, heating temperature, and ventilation.

“It is important to consider all the factors, but it is also important not to get overwhelmed by the choices available,” says Mike. “As the largest specialist manufacturer, supplier and installer of secondary glazing services in the UK, we’re seeing the way commercial properties and home owners are benefitting, and we’re delighted to see those benefits being embraced by the education sector.”

Outside education, industry-leader, Granada Glazing, has helped drive the sector forward with major contracts with national partners including hotel chains, museums, banks, housing associations, the NHS and other commercial bodies, whilst gaining a considerable reputation amongst heritage and residential customers, and a respected network of installers.

Granada’s ongoing work with universities has revealed some interesting facts about the benefits of their work. “Many of the higher education bodies we work with inhabit older buildings that require regular upgrades or maintenance. Those bodies are used to looking at ways to maximise the return on their investment, typically within four or five years.”

Having supplied such organisations for almost 20 years, Granada were unsurprised to hear that some have carried out their own investigations, measuring thermal loss against energy costs and proving the case for future investment.

Says Mike: “Universities in particular have multiple factors that lend themselves to investing in secondary glazing – the resulting environment is quieter, cheaper to heat and generally more pleasant to work in. There are also benefits to fulfilling carbon emission targets and promoting the organisation’s green credentials to a discerning student body.”

Whilst Granada’s workload within education continues to rise, the massive impact secondary glazing can have is not lost on many of the company’s grateful customers, with comments such as ‘made a huge difference’ and ‘dramatic reduction in noise’ not uncommon.

The Dinnington-based manufacturer is taking further strides towards bringing attention to the issue with an awareness campaign and investment in new premises, technology, production and support staff. Further accreditation from both the Achilles Building Confidence and Construction line schemes have also been added to the existing BBA, CHAS and ISO 9001 awards.

“Similarly, it is important for us to demonstrate our education credentials,” concludes Mike, “and to highlight the superb expertise that we have at our disposal. The quality of design and modern look remains an important part of all our products. Discreet, unobtrusive, strong, reliable and long-lasting, these are the characteristics that make us leaders in the field. We are also very aware of the pressures the school leaders are under, and make every effort to ensure an efficient installation process.”

Feeling The Benefit – Features of Secondary Glazing

• Substantially improves the thermal insulation of existing single-glazed windows – reduces heat loss through the window by around 65% – around 10% more than double glazing
• Well-fitted secondary glazing offers the most effective noise insulation, significantly outperforming double glazing.
• Granada’s internal windows are capable of reducing noise levels by 42-45dB, and even higher levels with a heavier glass.
• Just 65 dB of noise can be problematic, whilst levels between 70-125 dB can be painful (a passing motorcycle may reach 100 dB), or above that, outright unbearable.
• Low frequency noise like these can result in actual vibration of the glazing, meaning the problem can get progressively worse. The general “rumble” of traffic noise, passing aircraft, heavy goods vehicles, buses, taxis, train and railway noise, these tend to fall in the low frequency category. In these instances, secondary glazing with thicker glass, fitted correctly, can make the world of difference.
• Secondary windows offer an affordable, discreet, highly effective solution to enhancing building security.
• No need to redecorate after installation
• No external access is required, ideal for multi-storey buildings