Case Study – Education

Project: Buile Hill High School, Salford
Client: Salford Local Education Authority
Main Contractor: Morgan Ashurst (formerly AMEC) on behalf of Hochtief PPP Solutions (UK) Ltd
Sub Contractor: Mitie PFI
Joinery Contractor: Nationwide Joinery Contractors Ltd., Manchester

Laidlaw success with Flagship Manchester PPP School

As part of the Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme, funding was approved for the £50.23 million project to rebuild Buile Hill High and Harrop Fold Schools. The project is part of Salford’s strategy to raise attainment and achieve inclusion at Key Stages 3 and 4 for the most deprived areas of the city.

Buile Hill High School, rebuilt by Morgan Ashurst on behalf of Hochtief PPP Solutions (UK) Ltd, marked a further landmark for Laidlaw’s involvement in major education projects. The £31 million mixed comprehensive school for 900 11-16 year old pupils is not due for completion until April 2010 but has already seen extensive use of the Laidlaw Handrail and Balustrade system, as well as the company’s Orbis Timber Doorsets, Orbis Commercial and Normbau  ironmongery ranges.


In terms of handrails and balustrades, the durable, perforated infill panels used are ideal for areas of intensive use such as schools, while nylon top rails with a 4mm thick sleeve, coloured right through, will retain their appearance throughout the 25-year PPP maintenance contract. The colour cannot be chipped, scratched off or worn away, and will not fade. The infill panels are particularly effective for stairwells in such environments as they provide a clearly visible screen and barrier while enabling light to permeate through them.

200 Orbis Timber Doorsets were fitted by Nationwide Joinery Contractors, frames and architraves for which were supplied in softwood, primed for decoration on site. Doors were supplied fully painted to Slate Grey RAL 7015 and fitted with Satin Stainless Steel Orbis Commercial pull handles, closers, lock cases, hinges and signage. Anti-panic locks were used with ‘classroom cylinders’ and contrasting door edges were provided to non self-closing doors. A solution was also required to provide access control for double action, double spring pairs of doors.

Marvin Nash, Business Development Manager for Nationwide Joinery Contractors Limited commented “After the conclusion of this highly successful project, we would have no reservations whatsoever about using and installing Laidlaw Doorsets on future similar schemes. From the input of their staff at order stage to the delivery of the product on site, there was a seamless quality that we were able, in turn, to afford the client."

MD John Jefferies added, “High profile education projects such as Buile Hill provide an excellent illustration of our commitment to this key sector of construction. By working closely with Hochtief PPP Solutions, Morgan Ashurst, Mitie PFI, Nationwide Joinery Contractors and the local education authority, our design and delivery teams have helped to provide an innovative and inspiring learning environment".