Sennit Construction

Flat Roof Refurbishment in a Live School Environment

Project summary

Galliford Try FM instructed us to deliver a full flat roof refurbishment at Govan Primary School. They needed a durable, long-life roof system with improved thermal performance; delivered with strict safeguarding, controlled access and robust hot works procedures suitable for an education environment.

“Sennit Construction demonstrated excellent project management and coordination throughout the works at Govan Primary School.

They maintained strong communication, adhered to the programme, and delivered a high-spec roofing system to a very high standard.

Their collaborative approach with Bauder and sensitivity to the live school environment made them a reliable and professional contractor to work with.” – Project Manager, Govan Primary School

Project facts

Client: Galliford Try FM (Facilities Management)
Location: Govan Primary School, Glasgow
Project value: £700,000
Building type: Children’s school/live environment
Services delivered: Flat roof strip & renew (felt roofing), thermal upgrade, rooflight management, perimeter detailing, refurbishment outlets
Supply chain partners: Bauder (specification + technical support)

The brief

Remove the deteriorating flat roof system and install a new, modern, high-performance built-up felt roofing solution that delivers long-term waterproofing, improved durability and enhanced thermal efficiency.

All while safeguarding controls appropriate for a live school setting.

The challenge

Even when works are programmed during holidays, school sites demand a higher standard of control and responsibility. The key pressures included:

A deteriorating roof that needed safe access and edge protection across a large flat roof area
Secure site boundaries and controlled access to protect staff, visitors and the wider school environment
Noise sensitivity and management to minimise disruption to learning, with additional precautions near the autism support units and playground
Hot works management for a torch-applied cap sheet
A fixed 10-week programme with contingency planning in case of any overlap with term time
Temporary removal and protection of roof skylights during strip-out and installation
Maintaining emergency escape routes and keeping the site tidy and safe, every day

Our solution:

A programme built around the school holidays where possible

We planned works to reduce disruption: sequencing noisy activities, controlling access routes, and coordinating with school leadership so everyone knew what to expect and when. We also had a dedicated welfare compound and on-site first aider, with supervisor-led briefings and inductions.

Strict safeguarding controls to suit the education environment

Segregated work zones, secure scaffold access planning, and clear site rules were embedded from day one:

Robust fire-safe working practices for the torch-applied cap sheet
Roof access via scissor lift with triple handrail edge protection
Emergency scaffold tower installed within the internal courtyard
Full Heras-fenced compound with locked access

A full strip out and high-quality detailing

We carried out a full strip of the existing flat roof system, with responsible waste disposal and regular waste removal to prevent build-up and maintain a safe working surface throughout.

Thermal upgrade for long-term benefit

The roof was upgraded to meet current building regulations, improving energy efficiency and comfort inside the school. We installed a complete Bauder built-up felt system with careful detailing to ensure long-term waterproof integrity.

Why the Govan Primary School roof refurb matters

A school roof isn’t just a building, it protects learning, safety, and day-to-day routines. This refurbishment was about delivering long-term performance without compromising safeguarding or site control. The result is a warmer, more resilient school building, and a project delivered with the kind of care you want around children and staff.