Pye Academy

What They Asked For

ACS was appointed as Principal Contractor to deliver a refurbishment package at Pye Academy. The primary school had experienced ongoing roof leak issues that needed a permanent solution, alongside general refurbishment works to improve the building’s condition.

The scope included:

• Roof refurbishment works
• External decoration works
• Solar installation coordination requirements.

All work needed to be completed within a live primary school environment. This meant protecting hundreds of young children, maintaining teaching schedules, and following strict safeguarding procedures throughout the project.

What We Did

ACS Coatings managed and delivered the full refurbishment while the school remained fully open as usual. As Principal Contractor, we coordinated all site activities, managed health and safety, and made sure every aspect of the job met the standards required for educational environments.

The roof refurbishment addressed the school’s persistent leak problems through specialist coating and waterproofing systems. We also installed an Alltimes Coatings roof coating system that provides long-term protection and extends the roof’s serviceable life significantly.

For felt roof areas, we applied PMMA waterproofing systems. This advanced waterproofing technology creates a seamless, permanently bonded membrane that eliminates leaks and prevents water ingress. PMMA systems offer superior performance compared to traditional felt repairs and provide a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix.

The combination of specialist coatings and PMMA waterproofing permanently resolved the ongoing leak issues. This gave the school confidence that classrooms and learning spaces would remain dry regardless of weather conditions.

External decoration works also refreshed the school’s aesthetic appearance. We treated all external surfaces to create a clean, well-maintained look that reflects positively on the school and provides long-term protection against weathering.

As Principal Contractor, we also coordinated solar installation requirements. This involved scheduling work to integrate with the roofing programme, which meant proper preparation of roof surfaces, and coordinating with solar contractors to deliver a seamless project.

How We Did It

Working within a live primary school required detailed planning from the start, and children’s safety was the absolute priority throughout the project. We developed comprehensive risk assessments, established controlled working zones, and maintained strict barriers between work areas and school spaces.

All operatives also completed full DBS checks before attending the site. This safeguarding requirement is non-negotiable for educational environments, and we made sure every team member had proper clearance before they set foot on school grounds.

Communication also proved essential to project success. We held regular meetings with school leadership to discuss work plans, upcoming activities, and any potential disruptions. This allowed the school to plan around our activities and inform staff, parents, and pupils about what to expect.

Noise management was also carefully controlled. Loud activities were scheduled during break times, lunch periods, or after school hours wherever possible. This reduced disruption to classroom teaching and maintained a suitable learning environment.

As Principal Contractor, ACS maintained strict health and safety controls at every stage. We conducted daily safety briefings, monitored site conditions continuously, and enforced safety procedures rigorously.

The roofing works also presented technical challenges, with felt roof areas needing complete preparation before PMMA application. Surface cleaning, repairs to substrate damage, and proper priming also had to be completed to manufacturer specifications for maximum performance.

The Result

The project delivered a complete transformation of Pye Academy’s roof and external areas. The school now benefits from a permanently waterproofed roof system that has eliminated the leak issues that previously disrupted teaching and damaged internal areas.

Key outcomes included:

• Successful delivery within a live educational environment with hundreds of pupils on site
• A long-term waterproofing solution was installed to eliminate roof leaks permanently
• Zero safeguarding incidents or safety concerns throughout the project
• Minimal disruption to teaching activities and daily school operations
• Excellent feedback received from both Eddisons and school stakeholders
• High-quality finish across roofing and external decoration elements
• Solar installation requirements successfully coordinated and completed
• Strengthened working relationship with the client following project completion.

The positive feedback from both the client and school leadership reflected the professionalism and care demonstrated throughout the project. Working in educational environments requires a different approach compared to standard commercial sites, and our team’s experience in school refurbishment projects ensured this was delivered to the highest standards.

This project also demonstrates ACS Coatings’ capability to act as Principal Contractor on complex refurbishment programmes in sensitive environments where safeguarding, safety, and minimal disruption are paramount concerns.