RAAC work leads to expanded Silverstone schools brief

Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust has asked the building consultancy firm to carry out a range of services across its 30-strong portfolio.

Silverstone has completed RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) surveys of primary and secondary schools for the trust, to ensure the safety and longevity of its sites.

The firm is now also undertaking targeted defect surveys, fire door replacements, ceiling and roof repairs and bathroom refurbishments for the schools which are located across the east area of the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle.

Silverstone has been working with contractors, 186 Property Solutions and Leba Construction to deliver some of the projects.

Gavin Walker, senior surveyor at Silverstone Building Consultancy, said: “The upgrading works are key to helping the Trust strengthen and future-proof its portfolio. And, what’s great about these projects, is you get to see the immediate positive impact they have on teachers and pupils.”

Silverstone Building Consultancy is a specialist firm of chartered building surveyors and project managers, with offices in Newcastle, Leeds and London.

BCCET is a multi-academy trust that owns five secondary schools and 25 primary schools in Durham, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Tracey Field, estate manager at BCCET, said: “Like many other multi-academy-trusts, our school buildings require extensive upgrades to ensure they are safe, fit for purpose and excellent learning environments.

“We have established a great relationship with the Silverstone team who play an important role in supporting our ongoing programme of planned maintenance and capital works and appreciate the expertise they bring to support us in managing our schools.”