Waseley Hills High School, Rubery

Project Overview

Background

In 2023, the Department for Education took its first steps towards building a new school at Rubery in Bromsgrove by appointing Tilbury Douglas as its main contractor. The work, funded by the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme, would create two new blocks with a total area of 8,493m2. In all, the new facility would provide places for over 1,000 students aged between 11 and 18. It would also incorporate an associated Special Educational Needs department.

The new secondary school and sixth form would replace the existing school but would also provide additional student places, a multi‑use games area, and greatly modernised facilities. The work would be delivered in three phases: the first block would complete in 2025, the second would open in January 2027, and the third phase – mostly demolitions and landscaping – would continue until May 2027.

Brief

The new-build project had several key objectives:

  • To provide places for over 1,000 pupils, boosting local provision
  • To improve the quality of the on-site facilities
  • To create a dedicated SEND centre
  • To minimise the school’s energy demands and ongoing energy bills
  • To meet the requirements of the DfE Spec 21 specification, which requires ‘Net Zero in Operation’

In order to achieve these standards, the architect developed a design that maximised the use of natural light and ventilation, and that incorporated a range of energy-efficiency measures. These included modern glazing and doors, low-energy lighting and a high-performance external wall insulation system.

In line with the DfE Schools Output Specification, designers required that the EWI system have a design life of at least 40 years and an A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire classification (BS EN 13501-1:2018).

Design and Specification:

The chosen EWI system comprised:

When combined with Permarock SiliconeUltra K finish, Permarock Mineral Fibre EWI systems achieve an A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire classification and can be used on buildings of any height. The Schools Output Specification Technical Annex 2C: External Fabric dictates that “cladding on a school building with a storey 18m above ground level shall achieve Class A2-s1, d0 fire resistance or better.”  Similarly, it states that the same rating is required “where school buildings are prone to vandalism… for all special schools,” and for all residential areas of boarding schools. Permarock recommends the use of mineral fibre A2-rated systems for all schools, regardless of specification requirements.

The Permarock Mineral Fibre Insulation was supplied in boards measuring 1200 mm x 600 mm. They were installed in thicknesses of 200 mm. Other thicknesses were used as necessary to complete the detailed design of the system. All insulation boards were affixed using a Permarock polymer, cement-based adhesive and Permarock mechanical fixings appropriate to the substrate.

Permarock SiliconeUltra K Finish forms a flexible, vapour-permeable weather barrier that protects the underlying insulation and helps to maintain airtight facades. It is available in a wide range of colours and it resists the build-up of surface dirt so it tends to retain a bright, clean-looking finish for longer than older more traditional renders. Moreover, it contains agents that resist the growth of unsightly organisms such as mould and algae, and this further reduces the need for cleaning and maintenance.

Performance and Sustainability

Permarock Mineral Fibre insulation is manufactured to EN 13162 and is CFC and HCFC free. It has zero Ozone Depletion Potential and zero Global Warming Potential.

Permarock Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation systems have low embodied energy and are BIM Level 2 compliant. They exhibit thermal conductivity of 0.036 W/mK, and have an Ecopoints score of 0.10 (m2). This is classified as an ‘excellent’ rating. They enable low U-values to be achieved in order to help meet or exceed standards including BREEAM.

Planning and Project Delivery

Permarock’s technical staff supported the design team by providing material and colour samples, project visualisations, thermal calculations and system detailing. They also carried out pull-out tests fpr the specified system fixings on the sheathing board substrate, and as work progressed, they visited the site to perform quality inspections and to provide any necessary technical advice.

The EWI system was installed by Rendserve, a very experienced Permarock Registered Installer, which has a long history of working with Permarock systems. Its fully trained operatives completed the work efficiently and in strict accordance with the specification.

Result:

Phase 1 construction works began in April 2024 and completed in September 2025.

In a statement to mark the opening, David Tighe, regional building managing director at Tilbury Douglas said: “It is great to successfully hand over the completed first phase of this scheme, which will benefit the students, teaching team, and community for years to come.”

During phase 1, students and teachers worked within an existing building so as to minimise disruption. Once the new building opened, they were able to make a smooth transition.

The new premises were welcomed by pupils and staff alike. School principal, Tom Preston said: “Our new teaching block provides a world‑class learning environment reflecting Central Region Schools Trust’s ambition and core values.”

Permarock is extremely proud to have contributed to the successful construction of this school in-line with the design vision. We are confident that the school will be an excellent seat for learning for all the students that will attend for many years to come.

Project
New Build / Education
Client
Department for Education / Tilbury Douglas
Specifier
Corstorphine & Wright Architects
Substrate
Sheathing Board on Lightweight Steel Frame
System
Permarock Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation Systems
Finish
Permarock SiliconeUltra K Finish