The Project

Marian Vian is a larger than average primary school, but is proud to have a strong, tight-knit community feeling where every child’s efforts are valued and curiosity fostered. With a “Good” OFSTED rating, the school continually strives for excellence and integrity.

Following the recent refurbishment of the KS2 girls’ washrooms where Venesta products were specified and installed, the school turned their attention to the KS2 boys’ WC facilities. Originally installed in the 1930s, the previous cubicles, vanities and sanitaryware were dated and costly to maintain. Similar to the already completed girls’ washrooms, the aim of the second phase of this project was to create a modern, bright and clean washroom area.

The Challenge

The biggest challenge faced by the school was the time constraint associated to the renovation, which is a challenge commonly faced by many other education facilities. Installers, G Haslehurst Builders, were on an even tighter schedule than the first phase, as the renovations were carried out during term time.

With this in mind, Venesta’s pre-plumbed panelling system, Vepps, was specified, enabling G Haslehurst Builders to considerably reduce onsite installation time by 50%, compared to alternative traditional site built timber framed panelling.

The Solution

Vepps is an established choice for education washroom facilities, as it’s not only proven to be more cost effective over the whole project lifecycle, but also makes ongoing maintenance much simpler for the end user thanks to the 90˚ linear-bearing hinges that offer easy access.

Award’s clever safety features ensure the school’s students are safe at all times while using their new washroom facilities. The anti-finger trap hinges mimise the risk of trapped fingers, while the emergency release indicator bolts allow staff to gain access to each cubicle in the event of an emergency.

The toilet cubicles were specified in High Pressure Laminate (HPL), a suitable choice for a busy, high footfall washroom such as this. Thanks to HPL’s properties, the washroom solutions installed are guaranteed to stand the test of time.

Venesta’s Award cubicle doors and shelf height Vepps WC panelling were specified in a vibrant yellow, while a contrasting light grey was selected for the pilasters and Vepps flashgaps. By choosing a bright colour for their washrooms, an engaging and fun space has been created for students, while the on-trend grey keeps the space fresh and bright.

Marian Vian selected Solid Surface wash troughs. Similar to those in the KS2 girls’ washroom, these wash troughs are highly functional, space saving and can withstand regular and thorough cleaning.

By specifying Vepps, it meant that the SanCeram Chartham back to wall WCs were pre-plumbed and rigorously tested at the Venesta factory before being delivered to the school. This not only sped up installation, but also meant the client has added peace of mind. Self-closing mixer taps were specified for the stylish wash troughs, helping the school reduce unnecessary waste, while also minimising the risks of potential vandalism as flowing water cuts off automatically.

Emma Haslehurst, Director at G Haslehurst Builders said: "The main reason for using Vepps was the reduction in installation time. We had an even tighter schedule for this phase, as the school hired portable toilets for the boys to use while these toilets were being refurbished, so using Vepps cut down on the install time. Plus the easy access for any future maintenance is an added bonus for the school."

The Venesta team is thrilled to hear how much the students love their new washroom facilities, and that they now have a space to take pride in.

Find out how specifying Vepps can help reduce installation time for your project here.