Bedford Modern School: RAAC Remediation
A collaborative, multidisciplinary programme to protect a live school site
S2e worked alongside Bedford Modern School as multidisciplinary consultant, lead designer and technical coordinator on a RAAC remediation and estate modernisation programme. Delivering the work safely, on a live and operational school site, called for close and ongoing collaboration between our structural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, architecture and building surveying teams, and the school's own estates and operations team. Delivering the project effectively required the project team to plan the works carefully from the outset, while retaining the flexibility to adapt as challenges arose during construction. Throughout, necessary solutions and mitigation measures were put in place to ensure the live education environment remained fully operational, with minimal impact to critical teaching environments.
The Challenge
Bedford Modern School needed to address Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) panels identified across parts of its estate. RAAC projects are rarely entirely predictable: the full extent of remedial work often only becomes clear once removal is under way, so the programme needed to be planned with flexibility to respond as conditions were confirmed and uncovered as works progressed. Throughout, the whole team's priority was keeping pupils and staff safe while limiting disruption to the school day as much as possible.
Our Approach
S2e brought together a multidisciplinary team spanning surveying, architecture, structural engineering and building services, working in close coordination with the school throughout. In discussion with the school, the scope of works was agreed and delivered across four areas:
RAAC Identification & Safe Removal: Following a detailed survey, we managed the removal and disposal of the RAAC roof panels, putting temporary protection and structural support in place as the work progressed.
Re-Roofing: A new metal roof deck system was installed, with upgraded thermal insulation and weatherproofing to increase the life expectancy of the roof, enhance thermal performance and help reduce the building's energy consumption.
Estate Modernisation & Refurbishment: Where identified, we worked with the school to make wider improvements to internal spaces and teaching environments including remodelling to create more useable spaces, new partitions, ceilings, flooring and joinery.
Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) and Compliance Upgrades: We also oversaw M&E upgrades including ventilation improvements, new lighting, rewiring, heating component upgrades and compliance-focused safety systems.
Fire Compartmentation & Escape Route Upgrades: Working closely with the school, we upgraded fire compartmentation and fire doors along key escape routes to strengthen fire protection measures across the area of works.
Asbestos Removal: As part of our wider project methodology, we incorporated a comprehensive asbestos‑removal strategy to proactively manage the additional risks identified within the working area.
Delivering on a live site
Delivering a project of this scale on an occupied school site brought its own challenges: as work progressed, further RAAC-affected areas and related issues came to light, and the programme and sequencing were revised in agreement with the school to respond. Throughout, S2e and the school's leadership kept in close, regular contact, using phased working, protected access routes and managed, zoned working areas with controlled noise and dust, to keep the impact on the school day as low as possible.
The result is a school building where the RAAC risk has been addressed, with an upgraded roof and building services and refurbished internal spaces better suited to the school's current needs. We are grateful to Bedford Modern School for their patience, openness and partnership throughout what was, at times, a complex and challenging programme.
“I have had the pleasure of working closely with the S2e team over the past two years. During this time, S2e have consistently delivered exceptional service across all aspects of their work.”
Summary of scope & impact
Contact Us
If you would like to discuss how S2e can support your school in delivering specialist facilities that align with your educational and estate objectives, our team would be pleased to talk. You can contact us by phone on 0116 507 0130 or by email at enquire@s2e.org.uk.
