The Coombes CE Primary School is near Wokingham in Surrey and was established in 2008 by the amalgamation of the Coombes Infant and Nursey school and the Arborfield Newland & Barkham CE Junior School which was founded in 1863. Some of the buildings date back to the 19th Century and in 2011 planning permission was granted for building work that involved demolishing the old admin block and building a new extension to provide admin offices, year 6 classrooms, a junior library and a staff room.

Axis Automatic Entrance Systems were appointed by main contractor Midas Construction to install a number of doors, windows and some curtain walling. One pair of Stanley Dura-Glide automatic sliding doors and one pair of Stanley Magic Force automatic swing doors ensure full disabled access and a safe entrance and exit for all pupils at busy times. These were supplemented by 4 manual aluminium doors thermally broken to ensure optimum energy efficiency. A steel fire door completed the door requirements.

45 thermally broken Georgian style windows were also installed by Axis together with aluminium curtain walling above the automatic sliding door on the bridge that links the new building with the existing school.

Axis Managing Director Rob Brunero said “although we are perhaps best known as sole UK distributors for Stanley Automatic Doors, this project at The Coombes School shows our wider expertise in the installation of all forms of doors, windows and curtain walling. The project was completed on time and on budget and I think it looks superb.” The pupils obviously agree as one called her new classroom “...a magical room with beautiful windows.”