Retrofitting for SEND: Eurocell Delivers Safer, Sustainable School Environments on Time

The Lime Trust, which operates multiple schools supporting children with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), has overseen a major refurbishment programme across two of its sites in Orton and Watergall, Peterborough.

With more than 200 window frames and doors at Watergall and a further 87 frames and 20 doors at Orton, the scale of the improvement project was significant, but what added a real level of complexity was that both schools needed to remain fully operational.

This meant installation could only be completed during strict shutdown periods, including the six-week summer break and October half-term - making meeting deadlines absolutely crucial.

The project was led by RAM Building Consultancy & PCI Construction and Interiors as main contractor, with Allglass Anglia installing Eurocell’s Logik 70mm Chamfered system.

Security, accessibility, and sustainability were key requirements of the project and had a major influence on the products that were specified. These features included:

• Casement windows with restrictors as well as tilt-and-turn windows to maintain a safe environment for SEND pupils.
• Ventilation and temperature control to support the comfort and wellbeing of vulnerable students, including those with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD).
• Magnetic locks and access controls were required on doors, while thresholds had to meet Part M compliance for wheelchair access.
• All installations needed to meet PAS 24 standards, and specific provisions for fire escape routes, panic bars, and tamper-proof glazing.

As Arron Crisp, Eurocell Technical Specification Manager, explained:

“The biggest challenge was time – we had to deliver a large-scale retrofit within a short window, while meeting all the technical and safety requirements of a SEND school environment.”

Tailoring Solutions Through Technical Expertise.

To support the tender and specification process, Eurocell created detailed window schedules, site window and door location plans, and NBS specification documents for the schools.

This enabled a competitive tender process that ensured value for money for the Lime Academy and provided a clear, compliant framework for the design and installation phases.

Flexibility in Design

The Logik system offered critical flexibility:

• Tilt-and-turn windows specified for safety, removing risks associated with outward casements in a SEND setting.
• Coupled frames and internal steel reinforcement ensured windows aligned seamlessly with existing structures, without obscuring glazing or compromising natural light.
• Boiler room doors were fitted with integrated louvres to ensure adequate airflow.
• Doors included panic bars, magnetic locks, and DDA-compliant thresholds for wheelchair access.

Eurocell’s technical team worked closely with the contractor to ensure every detail was captured. From this collaboration, Allglass Anglia were able to provide individual profile drawings for each window and door, with provisions for trickle vents and performance calculations to ensure adequate ventilation and thermal efficiency.

As Ben Friend, Contracts Manager, Allglass Anglia highlighted:

“The Logik 70mm system is always straightforward to install, even on a complex project like this. Its knock-in bead design and consistency of profile dimensions made the installation process much quicker, which was vital given the tight programme. We worked closely with Eurocell and the building consultants to come up with the best suited products, programme and delivery methods for these schools, which we are proud to include in our growing portfolio of 37+ years in the industry”

Sustainability and Aesthetics

While aluminium was initially considered for its compatibility with electronic locking systems, Eurocell’s Logik PVC-U system was ultimately selected for its:

• Consistent aesthetic across both windows and doors.
• Lower cost and faster fabrication compared with aluminium.
• Sustainability credentials, with an average 40% recycled content and support from Eurocell’s closed-loop recycling service.

According to Jamie Wood, Head of Project Management, RAM Building Consultancy:

“Eurocell’s technical support was critical in ensuring every specification was right the first time. The detail in their drawings and system performance data gave us the confidence that the project would deliver on time and meet every compliance requirement.”

Despite the demanding programme, the project was completed successfully within the school holidays, finishing on 31 October 2025.

Arron Crisp concluded: “This project demonstrates the power of early technical collaboration. By working closely with the contractor and installer, we ensured the specification met every detail of the school’s requirements – from sustainability to accessibility – while delivering on time and on budget."

For more information on how Eurocell can assist you in delivering your next project, please contact the team:

commercialsales.profiles@eurocell.co.uk