Gradus Improves Interiors at Bitterne Park School
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Over the next five years, Bitterne Park School, a secondary school based in Southampton, is expected to introduce an additional 300 pupils. As a result, the school has been rebuilt on the same site to increase the size of its classrooms and communal areas, as well as modernising the building and its facilities. The schools’ transformation will provide a new three and a half storey teaching block, comprising of 80 new teaching classrooms; a purpose-built assembly hall with seating for 360 students, a new dining space with fully fitted kitchen and a large Learning Resource Centre.
Gradus supplied and fitted SureProtect Pureâ in white and Stainless Steel Corner Guards to enhance and protect the new schools interiors from damage. In areas of the school where cleanliness is key, such as the school kitchen, canteens and the food technology classrooms, SureProtect Pureâ wall cladding was installed. This hygienic option creates an impermeable barrier to moisture and bacteria. Tested to meet the requirements of EN 22196:2011 and EN ISO 846:1997 part A the smooth, easy to clean surface is an ideal alternative to ceramic tiles as it removes the need for grout, which can harbour bacteria.
Christopher Whitbread, Deputy Head Teacher at Bitterne Park School, commented, “The new school required a robust wall protection solution that could withstand hundreds of people passing through daily as, once complete and at capacity, this will be one of the largest secondary schools in the South.
“As Gradus has a wealth of experience in the industry we knew they’d be able to supply us with a product that met our needs. The corner guards and wall protection systems installed are of superior strength to protect and future-proof the building for many years to come.”
As school environments are subject to scuffs and scrapes from tables and chairs, as well as students with school bags leaning against walls, surface mount Stainless Steel Corner Guards were also installed throughout the building to provide a hygienic durable protection against impact and abrasion. The corner guards offer a robust solution to weakened areas of the building and are ideal for reducing maintenance costs and maintaining interiors.
Maria Morgan, Product Manager at Gradus, said: “The Bitterne Park School project was an interesting installation for us. The facility is a new build; however, it will still contain much of the older furniture and décor from the previous building. This meant that we needed to specify a modern wall protection system that not only offers a high standard of protection, but also complements the traditional furniture from the old building.”
With over 20 years of experience in supplying and fitting wall protection solutions, Gradus can manage your next project from specification through to installation. For more information, or to request a hard copy of the new wall protection brochure, please contact Gradus Technical Support on 01625 428922 or visit www.gradus.com