Having started works on the project in January of 2022, we were delighted to successfully hand over the Fitzalan High School to a satisfied client in August of 2023.

 

CMB were appointed as part of the Kier team to design and deliver the full Mechanical & Electrical Services to the new secondary school providing 11 – 18 year olds with a fantastic new building to learn and develop in.

 

In what was a circa £11 Million project for us, our team led by Dave Fenton and Matt Watts were fully responsible for developing the 3D model and integrating with all other designers to ensure a well-coordinated design which followed through into a high-quality installation. A close working relationship with Kier and the Council ensured that we delivered on expectations and provided a truly great place.

 

The £64 Million 3-storey building spans across 17,730 sq-ft and is the largest in the 21st Century Schools project. Jointly funded by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government, it is Cardiff's latest scheme to be delivered under the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. It accommodates 1,850 pupils and comprises of a community swimming pool, changing rooms, four Multi Use Games Areas, two 3G pitches for rugby, football and hockey, a remarkable central hall, an open-pan library, hard and soft play areas and a staff and visitor car park.

 

Located on a site close to the existing school, and sharing facilities with the adjacent Cardiff International Sports Campus, the completed project represents a significant new facility for the pupils, staff and local community. This project was a follow on to our successful delivery of Cardiff West Community High School and allowed us to continue a great end user relationship.

 

The services our team provided needed to be flexible and suit the various uses of space. This included installing two separate plantrooms providing the main teaching block and sports facility with LTHW via gas fired boilers. We also installed constant temperature circuits that feed ceiling mounted radiant panels within circulation spaces and roof plant situated on the roof of both the main build and sports hall.

 

VES Air Handling Units at roof level provide the school with extract and supply air, whilst the Air Handling Unit located in the Pool Plantroom was specifically made to suit the pool environment and supply the pool via a fabric duct.

 

VRF Daikin Air Conditioning provided the IT classrooms and server rooms with heating and cooling all controlled via the centralised controller mounted in the main build plantroom. Meanwhile, gas fired water heaters within both the sports and main build plantrooms provide the school with Hot water services, whilst a 10,000L Cold Water Storage tank and booster set provide the school with Cold Water. Other services we provided included: 

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Electrical:

 

• PV

• LV Distribution

• Public Address

• Audio Visual including teaching walls

• Small Power & Data

• Fire & Security

• External lighting

• Lighting Controls

 

Mechanical:

 

• Ventilation

• Building Management Systems

• Heating

• Cooling

• Domestics

• Sprinklers

 

Since opening its doors, Fitzalan High School has welcomed a number of award wins and nominations, including:

 

• Project of the Year (Schools) Winner – at the Kier’s 2024 Education Buildings Wales Conference & Awards.

• Regional Public Sector Project Winner – RICS Public Sector Awards.

• Community Benefit Project Finalist – RICS Public Sector Awards.

 

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas said:

 

“The brand-new home for Fitzalan High School is the latest excellent example of the innovative, modern and state-of-the-art schools that have been delivered by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government and is the first school to be completed as part of the B and B programme, a rolling programme which will represent an investment of almost £300M.

 

"The impressive £64M school will provide outstanding facilities, not only for present and future pupils but also for local people to enjoy, further reinforcing our commitment to invest in education, where schools are at the heart of the communities they serve.”

 

Cardiff Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry, added:

 

"I have enjoyed closely following the progress of the development despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, from initial design to seeing first-hand, the impressive new building that welcomed pupils at the beginning of term. 

 

"Representing a significant boost for the local area, the new school is an example of an urban and modern school building which will provide current and future generations with excellent facilities, opportunities and quality learning environments for years to come. A school to be proud of, I have no doubt the future of Fitzalan High School will continue to go from strength to strength."