*Artist impression of the proposed new HTS built by Bouygues through DfE's School Rebuilding Programme

Background

Holy Trinity C of E Secondary School is a large secondary school located in an area of significant deprivation in West Sussex. The school serves a diverse community and is committed to delivering an inclusive, high-quality education for its pupils. Like many schools in challenging financial environments, Holy Trinity faced historic issues with estates compliance, deteriorating learning environments, and limited capital investment.

The Challenge

In 2022, the school’s estates compliance was independently assessed at just 70%, with multiple areas of risk requiring urgent attention. Much of the school’s fabric and facilities were tired and in need of refurbishment. However, the school had no additional revenue budget available to meet these challenges. The leadership team sought a trusted partner to help drive compliance improvements, better utilise existing resources, and deliver capital investment where possible.

Our Approach

GenOne was engaged by Holy Trinity to provide Facilities Management and Property Support services, with the core objectives of:

• Raising statutory and best practice compliance across the estate.
• Improving the quality and functionality of learning environments.
• Identifying and delivering capital projects that would make a measurable difference for pupils and staff.
• Achieving these outcomes within existing budget constraints, through intelligent management and strategic planning.

Key Achievements

Compliance Transformation

• Within two years, Gen One worked with the school to raise estates compliance from 70% to 97%, providing robust assurance to the governing body and Local Authority.
• This was achieved without increasing the school’s facilities budget, through targeted interventions, improved contractor management, and process improvements.

Enhanced Learning Environments

• Classroom environments and communal spaces have been systematically refurbished and improved, creating a better educational experience for students.
• Improvements have included lighting, flooring, ventilation and redecoration – all delivered within existing cost envelopes.

Capital Projects Delivered

• New External Dining Area: Designed and constructed to give students a vibrant, high-quality outdoor dining space.
• Modular Classrooms: Installed to expand teaching capacity and support curriculum flexibility.
• Staff Wellbeing House: Creation of a dedicated space to support staff wellbeing and promote retention.
• Refurbishment of Sports Facilities: Modernisation of key sports areas, enhancing PE provision and community use.
• Installation of New Open-Plan Toilets: Improving safeguarding, accessibility and design within the school.

Impact

The school site has been transformed over the past two years, with both compliance and the quality of the learning environment dramatically improved. Pupils and staff now benefit from safer, more engaging spaces. Importantly, all of this has been achieved without requiring additional funding from the school’s core budget – a critical factor for a school operating in a deprived community.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates how a strategic, partnership-based approach to Facilities Management can drive significant improvements in compliance, learning environments and capital delivery – even within the tight financial parameters faced by many schools. GenOne is proud to have supported Holy Trinity C of E School and looks forward to continuing this partnership.