Little Lever High School, Bolton
Comprehensive Building Services Upgrade and ExtensionLittle Lever High School, a secondary academy in Bolton originally built in the late 1960s, required a comprehensive upgrade of its mechanical and electrical building services alongside a new two-storey infill extension. Vital Synergy acted as single-point contractor across both works, replacing failing gas pipework serving seven science laboratories and the kitchen while delivering full M&E design and installation for the extension. The phased programme prioritised safety, energy efficiency and continuity of teaching, with all works scheduled around the school's academic calendar to avoid disruption to staff and students.
Client Overview
A secondary academy in Bolton, Lancashire, originally constructed in the late 1960s. The school required modernisation of its ageing building services alongside additional capacity, commissioning Vital Synergy to deliver both a new infill extension and urgent gas safety upgrades across the existing building.
Operating within a live, occupied school placed specific demands on sequencing and site management. Construction and installation works were scheduled around the academic timetable, with the most disruptive activities carried out during school holidays, evenings and weekends to protect teaching time.
Replaced all failing gas pipelines and added advanced ventilation and automatic gas shut-off systems in science labs, ensuring full compliance with modern safety standards.
Installed a hybrid VRF heating and cooling system and central heat-recovery ventilation in the new extension, significantly improving energy efficiency and year-round comfort.
Executed works in phases over term breaks and off-hours, delivering the extension on time and the lab upgrades with zero unplanned class disruptions.
Key Outcomes and Benefits
Full gas pipework replacement and new ceiling-mounted MVHR ventilation installed across all seven science laboratories, alongside a modernised kitchen gas supply.
The new infill extension and legacy gas and ventilation upgrades were delivered as two coordinated phases, aligned to the school's academic calendar.
Lab upgrade works were executed after hours and during holidays, allowing science teaching to continue uninterrupted throughout the programme.
The new two-storey infill extension was completed and ready for occupation in time for the new term, providing immediate additional space for students and staff.
New mechanical ventilation in every science lab meets updated Building Bulletin 101 requirements for indoor air quality in teaching spaces.
A hybrid VRF heating and cooling system paired with heat-recovery ventilation delivers efficient, individually controllable comfort throughout the new extension.
Project Detail
Vital Synergy delivered the project as a phased, turnkey solution, acting as single-point contractor for all mechanical and electrical works across both the existing school and the new extension. The scope spanned heating, ventilation, air conditioning, gas systems, controls and all associated electrical and safety systems.
The works were sequenced across two phases to align with the school's schedule: a full M&E fit-out of the new two-storey infill extension, delivered alongside urgent gas safety upgrades across the original 1960s building.
Compliance and Safety
The main gas pipework serving seven science laboratories and the kitchen was replaced with new stainless-steel piping and robust supports, resolving existing leaks and meeting current standards. Each science lab was fitted with a dedicated gas safety interlock system, with sensors monitoring carbon dioxide levels and automatically isolating the gas supply via solenoid valves if unsafe conditions are detected.
To comply with updated Building Bulletin 101 (BB101) requirements for mechanical ventilation in teaching spaces, each science lab received new ceiling-mounted MVHR units, maintaining healthy CO2 levels and comfortable temperatures during experiments. When asbestos was identified under a floor during the extension works, the team coordinated safe removal via a licensed specialist contractor without derailing the programme.
Programme and Delivery
Construction and installation activities were carefully planned during school holidays, evenings and weekends wherever possible, with strict site segregation allowing normal teaching to continue uninterrupted throughout both phases.
The new infill extension, with its hybrid VRF heating and cooling system and central MVHR ventilation, was completed in time for the new term. Regular communication and detailed method statements with school management ensured all parties were kept informed of upcoming works and safety plans.
The scale of this project, a full extension alongside upgrades across seven science labs, demanded real technical expertise, and Vital Synergy delivered. The new VRF climate control has transformed comfort in the new spaces, and their rigorous approach to gas safety gave us complete confidence throughout.
Facilities Manager, Little Lever High School, Bolton
