Dean Trust Ardwick, Manchester.
Project Overview Barlows UK Ltd was appointed by main contractor Seddon Construction to deliver the full mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) package for the extension and internal refurbishment works at Dean Trust Ardwick, a secondary school in Manchester.
Dean Trust Ardwick, part of The Dean Trust multi-academy trust, opened in 2015 as a new school serving the Ardwick and Longsight communities. Originally designed for 1,200 pupils (Years 7-11), rapid growth in demand for places led to the need for expansion to accommodate an additional 150 pupils, increasing total capacity to 1,350.
The £4.5 million project, completed in November 2020 despite COVID-19 restrictions, included a new two-storey teaching block with an open undercroft to maintain external access, an extension to the dining area (supporting 120 more pupils), and internal refurbishment/remodelling of existing classrooms and spaces. This addressed a 400m² shortfall against government mainstream school requirements, enhancing the school’s ability to deliver a broad curriculum in a high-demand urban area.
Scope of Works Barlows provided comprehensive MEP services for the new Science teaching block extension and internal upgrade works, ensuring reliable, efficient, and compliant systems integrated into both new-build and refurbished areas. Key elements included:
- Electrical Installation: LV distribution from external supplies, power distribution, specialist and general lighting, IT/data infrastructure, access control, fire alarm upgrades, security/CCTV integration, and emergency systems.
- Mechanical Installation: Ventilation systems (including heat recovery where applicable), air conditioning/heating services, low-temperature hot water (LTHW), and environmental controls to support modern teaching environments.
- Plumbing Installation: Hot and cold water services, sanitary installations, above-ground drainage, and associated pipework for new and refurbished facilities.
The works focused on creating durable, low-maintenance systems suited to a busy secondary school, with emphasis on energy efficiency, safety, and minimal long-term operational disruption.
Key Challenges The project was executed in a live, operational secondary school with over 1,200 pupils and staff:
- Minimising disruption to teaching, exams, and daily routines in a densely populated urban site.
- Adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols (social distancing, hygiene, phased access) while maintaining schedule.
- Coordinating deliveries, noisy/high-risk activities, and sequencing around school hours in an occupied environment.
- Integrating new MEP systems seamlessly with existing infrastructure during refurbishment phases.
Our Approach & Solutions Barlows collaborated closely with Seddon Construction, The Dean Trust, architects Ellis Williams, and school stakeholders to develop phased programmes and robust mitigation measures. This included:
- Scheduling disruptive works outside core school hours or during holidays/low-impact periods.
- Implementing strict health & safety, noise, dust, and infection control protocols.
- Proactive communication, on-time material management, and efficient installation/testing/commissioning to ensure systems were reliable from handover.
Outcomes & Impact Delivered on schedule in November 2020, the project successfully increased capacity and modernised facilities, enabling Dean Trust Ardwick to better serve its growing community and provide enhanced learning spaces. The new teaching block and refurbished areas support improved educational outcomes in a high-demand area of Manchester.
This project built on Barlows’ successful track record with Seddon in education schemes, including prior works at Kingfisher Special School (Oldham) and concurrent/comparable projects like Delamere School (Urmston). It further demonstrates our expertise in delivering high-quality MEP installations in live school environments, even under challenging conditions like the pandemic.
Barlows UK Ltd is proud to support inclusive and expanding education infrastructure, providing specialist MEP solutions that benefit pupils, staff, and local communities.
For more information on our mechanical and electrical services, or to discuss your next education project, visit www.barlowsuk.co.uk or contact our team.
Services Delivered: Full MEP Installation (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Specialist Focus: Live-site secondary education extensions, phased works in occupied buildings
