Cheshire Schools

Cheshire Schools unveiled a whole new design concept for school build in 2003. The innovative and technically challenging design of five new primary schools in Ellesmere Port has created a new template to be tailored for all new schools.

The PFI (Private Financial Investment) venture between Cheshire County Schools and Eric Wright Construction was commissioned in October 2002 and demanded almost immediate design and construction to meet the new academic year in September 2003. Not only were the timescales tight, but as a first of its kind with stringent environmental controls, the challenges both technically and practically were high.

Working closely with Derek Hicks & Thew Architects and Shepherd Gilmour Structural Engineers, Steven A. Hunt & Associates were appointed to carry out the M&E design. Unlike most educational builds, these schools were required to meet strict energy targets. Since completion the schools have been selected to represent the BRE’s own Exemplar schools programme.

New Environmental Initiatives

As part of the Government’s environmental policy, Cheshire County Council wanted new systems for control of summertime temperatures, night time ventilation, natural daylighting and air testing to save energy.


The M&E design created a school environment which utilises natural means to maintain its environment, creating health benefits for the children and staff by reducing the concept of sick building syndrome.

Fresh air is essential for the body to function yet the body is quite durable in reporting poor fresh air conditions to the conscious mind. However, performance is severely hampered and concentration is lost when there is an absence of fresh air. By diluting the air, the risks of spreading coughs and colds is greatly reduced improving general child health and school attendance.

The design also greatly reduced energy consumption, helping to reserve the earth’s resources, whilst saving the school money on energy bills which can now be used for educational needs.

M&E Specification and Solution

As the design team leader of the M&E, Steve Hunt played a significant role with the architect to ensure the actual building structure developed to compliment the low energy design.