About the project

At Henlow Church of England Academy, Marley’s AntiSlip Plus® decking was used to create a visually striking, low-maintenance and slip-resistant courtyard area, along with matching planters and seating.

All in the detail:

Henlow Church of England Academy in Bedfordshire has recently completed a classroom and ancillary area extension scheme. The project also involved the construction of a beautifully landscaped courtyard area, complete with Marley AntiSlip Plus® smooth boards used as decking and as a construction material to build coordinating seating and planters.

As part of Central Bedfordshire Council’s Schools for the Future programme, schools in the region are beginning to move from the three-tier education system to the more widely used two-tier model. Henlow Academy, a middle school, required renovation to start its transition to a secondary school, adding specialist teaching classrooms and making space for a new cohort of students.

The first phase of the project, overseen by PCMS Design, involved the construction of a new two-storey classroom block extension incorporating five classrooms, four science labs and a lift. The placement of the extension resulted in a large outdoor area that would be transformed into an attractive courtyard perfect for socialising, recreation and eating.

The courtyard was a substantial area to fill, and PCMS Design created a distinctive landscape with a striped appearance, alternating between smooth timber decking and grey resin or natural turf. The different materials provided contrast in colour and texture, and the visual lines were further enhanced with planters and seating made from the timber decking boards.

Note: All of our decking products now use a new treatment which changes their colour to a French Beige – Tobacco Brown. While the colour has changed, this case study still serves as a good indicator for the function and possible applications of the product. To see the new colour, visit Marley’s website.