Case Study - Two Moors School, Tiverton
Taken from Tiverton Gazette (23rd November 2010)
'Classrooms have been made as good as new at a Tiverton primary school at a fraction of the cost associated with demolishing old buildings.'
'Two Moors School, in Cowleymoor Road, has refurbished and remodelled our old classrooms to equip them for 21st century learning. The rooms were officially opened by leader of Devon County Council Councillor John Hart last Monday.'
'With funding for capital projects in education extremely tight at present, Tiverton's largest primary's creative way of updating classrooms at the end of their lifetime could prove a model for other schools.'
'Head teacher Roy Kerrigan said he was delighted to have been able to refurbish Devon Lady Classrooms and Elliot Classrooms, which were around 50 years old...'
'The work was overseen during the summer break by Tony Anderson, from Anderson Property Restoration and Maintenance Ltd, who removed the cladding of the building and tackled the problems with rot, but found the basic structure of the building to be solid.'
'Cedar was used and new raised decking areas outside the classrooms created which will allow some learning outside when the weather is warmer.'
'New windows and heating systems were installed to increase energy efficiency.'
'... the school (also has provided) a temporary ancillary staffroom for teachers on the new unit's side of the school, a facility that was much in need as Two Moors now employed around 80 people Mr Kerrigan said.'
'The head teacher said: "There is a phrase 'reduce, reuse and recycle" which is what we have aimed to do with this project.
"I have seen the figure of £150,000 quoted for some new classroom projects, just for a single building so to significantly extend the lifetime of four classrooms for several years, ... is tremendous".
'Mr Hart, leader of Devon County Council, said it was "money well spent" and said it was a model of working which the "local authority would be looking to investigate further".
'Thanks were given to volunteers from SSE Contracting for providing the finishing touches to the classrooms. Fifteen people came in for two days as part of the firm's community challenge scheme.'
'Councillor Des Hannon, who represents Tiverton East, said: "The money tap is being switched off, so the more money that can be saved using this sort of creative vision will safeguard money for bigger capital projects such as Tiverton High School.'