The Francis Coombe Academy in Watford will accommodate 1350 pupils aged between 11-18 years. The school, which forms part of the Hertfordshire Academies, became an academy in 2009 and is sponsored by the University of Hertfordshire and West Hertfordshire College.

Due for completion in August 2012, the new academy comprises 81% new build and 19% refurbishment of a general teaching block.

£25 million has been invested into the rebuild. The new build scheme will be a combination of 2-3 storeys, which wraps itself around an Agora space which is to be partially covered with a two storey transparent (ETFE) canopy.

86 doorsets from Leaderflush Shapland’sDesigner and Extended Performance ranges were specified in Crown Cut American White Oakto achieve performance characteristics of 30 minutes fire resistance and 38 RwdB sound reduction. All Door sets incorporated Hygienilacinto wood lacquer, which is Leaderflush Shapland’s highly effective anti-microbial finish which reduces the potential risk of bacteria causing illnesses in schools by killing most species including C.diff, Salmonella and E Coli.

Doorsets were constructed using Leaderflush Shapland’s exclusive engineered performance core – EnduraCor - whose durability and stability make it especially suitable for harsh environments like schools and colleges. EnduraCor is manufactured using mainly man-made materials or materials which are either FSC or verified, legal and sustainable.

Fitzpatrick Rebound board doors which were also installed in the sports halls which fully comply with Sport England design and technical guidelines providing increased security and conceal panic bar door furniture preventing accidental usage when struck by balls.

Leaderflush Shapland, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke doorset solutions, has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the education sector with innovative products such as Hygienilac, Sentinel and EnduraCor and finishes suitable for almost any application. With the rise of academy status new-build schools, Leaderflush Shapland aims to provide cost effective, rationalised doorset solutions that consider the latest guidance set out by the DCSF.