Gerflor has played a key role in the project’s success, supplying over 14,000 m² of high-performance flooring solutions including Taraflex® sports flooring, DLW Marmorette Linoleum, Tarasafe Safety flooring, and Powershock 300 rubber tiles. Alongside this, Gradus accessories including stair nosings and a variety of trim finishes were also supplied, the combined package of products from both Gerflor and Gradus were specified for their exceptional durability, safety, and style to meet the needs of the various areas across the facility.

The large variety of Gerflor and Gradus products were specified for key areas throughout the school, including the games and sports halls, fitness studio, circulation areas, reception, corridors, classrooms, changing rooms, WC’s and kitchen and servery areas. The project also extended to other versatile spaces designed to support the needs of students and staff, with flooring solutions that deliver long-lasting performance, practical design, and aesthetic appeal for diverse spaces across the facility interiors.

Commenting on the project, Maggie Smith, Scotland Team Leader at Gerflor, said, “We initially had only our Olympic pedigree Taraflex sports flooring and Powershock 300 Rubber tiles specified with the architects on this project. As partners on the Framework Agreement with BAM, we collaborated closely with them to review the overall project and identify areas where cost savings could be achieved on the flooring package, which had originally been specified by another supplier. This approach allowed us to ensure the best possible outcome for both the client and the project.”

Elaborating on the specification decision, Maggie added, “At Gerflor and Gradus, we were able to offer a comprehensive flooring and accessories package that not only met the project’s functional and aesthetic requirements but also delivered significant cost efficiencies. By tailoring our solution to align with the budgetary goals without compromising on quality, we demonstrated the value of working with a supplier who can provide both innovation and cost-effectiveness.”

The responsibility for installing the flooring products and accessories for this high-profile project fell to Veitchi Flooring, one of the UK’s largest and most respected flooring contractors.

Recognised as a market leader, Veitchi Flooring has built a reputation for setting the benchmark in quality and professionalism across the industry. With headquarters in Glasgow and additional offices in Dundee and Aberdeen, Veitchi Flooring offers the capacity and flexibility to handle contracts of any scale across the UK. Their extensive expertise and specialist knowledge allow them to provide tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each customer, ensuring exceptional results every time.

Commenting on the specification of Gerflor and Gradus products, Jamie Cargill, Contracts Supervisor at Veitchi Flooring, said, “The Dunfermline Learning Campus project was awarded through an open tender process, competing against other major flooring contractors across the UK. The client required a range of options to achieve cost savings without compromising quality. We recommended Gerflor and Gradus products because of their exceptional design appeal, durability, performance, and competitive price point … these were key factors in delivering an effective overall solution.”

Discussing the installation process, Jamie Cargill added, “Our team on site ranged from four to ten fitters, including one apprentice and a visiting supervisor. The project was completed within a fifty-week timescale, from start to finish, ensuring we met all deadlines while maintaining the highest standards of workmanship.”

The creation of Dunfermline Learning Campus has been a true collaborative effort, bringing together key stakeholders such as Fife Council, Fife College, the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Futures Trust. The project was procured and managed by hub East Central Scotland, ensuring that the campus was delivered on schedule and to the highest quality standards, meeting the needs of both the educational institutions and the local community.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, commented, “This is an important milestone for the Dunfermline Learning Campus, and I know that the new school building will be of significant benefit to pupils, teachers and the local community.” Her statement reflects the broader impact of the project, highlighting its long-term value to the educational experience and for the area as a whole.

Summing up the project Jamie Cargill ended by saying, “Veitchi, BAM construction and the client are extremely pleased with how the new school has turned out. We have used Gerflor and Gradus products in the past on many varied projects with outstanding success. We will continue to specify Gerflor and Gradus for their consistently high-quality products that excel in both performance and design.”

Not only a centre of learning excellence the building is also a great asset to the local community. The modern sports facilities are fully accessible by pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community and can accommodate the needs of both large groups and individual users alike.

Maggie Smith concluded, “The new installation of interior flooring and accessory products from Gerflor and Gradus deliver an impressive visual impact. The school has only been open a few months and the client is delighted with the final finish and overall performance of our world class products.”

With the addition of the Gerflor Winsford Warehouse in 2020/21, which boasts over half a million m² of flooring readily available on its shelves, the Dunfermline Learning Campus project benefited significantly from streamlined supply chain management. This state-of-the-art facility not only ensures an extensive stock of bestselling products but also reduces lead times and supports efficient distribution across the UK.

For the Dunfermline project, this meant having immediate access to the required flooring materials without delays, ensuring that the project timeline was met seamlessly. The strategic location of the warehouse further enhanced logistical efficiency, enabling quick and reliable delivery to the site. By leveraging the scale and capability of Winsford’s operations, Gerflor demonstrated its ability to handle large-scale projects with precision and consistency, reinforcing its reputation for excellence in supply chain management.

The interior collections both from Gerflor and Gradus were specified for their aesthetical appearance but also their trusted reliability for delivering the optimum levels of safety, comfort, performance, and durability that the education facility required.

Beaulieu Convent School was founded in 1937 by the Sisters of the Order of the Immaculate Conception and moved to its current site in 1951 and in 1999, the Sisters gifted the school via a trust to the Island of Jersey under the condition it would remain a Catholic school. Beaulieu Convent School is based on one campus, and is divided into preschool, primary and secondary departments, and it also operates a sixth form. Courses of study offered at the school include GCSEs, A Levels and BTECs. Beaulieu Convent School offers a broad and balanced education, placing every student at the heart of what they do, with a special blend of academic focus and pastoral excellence. Their community has strong values, rooted in a Catholic tradition established by the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, which provides students with a warm sense of belonging.

Chris Pursey, Gerflor Specification Area Sales Manager, Southwest, and Channel Islands commented, “Sport has a significant role and contribution to play in in Jersey …right through from schools to state facilities and community hubs. This centre is at the forefront of facilities on the Island and is used both by both the students and local sports clubs alike. It’s a cleverly designed building, clinging to the hillside above St Helier, offering a first-class education and sports facility to the local region.”

When it came to the onsite renovation program, the project involved more than one location that required refurbishment works. The priority was to upgrade the main sports hall with Gerflor’s Olympic pedigree Taraflex Sports vinyl floor coverings, specified for its outstanding credentials and reliability when it comes down to safety, comfort and performance. Creation 55 LVT was also specified for the Corridors and Fitness suite for its design finishes and ease of cleanability, whilst Tarasafe Safety Vinyl was chosen for the Changing rooms thanks to its unique surface treatment for easy maintenance.

In the Linking corridor, Stratus carpet tiles were chosen for their design aesthetics. In addition to Gerflor floorcoverings, a variety of Gradus products were also specified and installed, including Esplanade 8500 (external matting), Boulevard 5000 (internal matting), A range stair nosing’s, capping & coving finishing products, as well as SO100 sit on skirting, so that the End User could have a  complete solution for the entire project from both businesses.

The overall responsibility for the refurbishment project would be managed by St Helier-based, Page Architects. Page Architects was founded in 2003, by George De Sousa and Paul Van Bodegom, with the philosophy of creating architecture that would exceed the Client’s expectations. Page Architects has since developed into a bespoke practice that is design detail-oriented, with the goal of providing imaginative architecture that responds to their clients’ briefs in their landscapes.

Commenting on the Beaulieu Convent School project George De Sousa, Director and Co-Owner at Page Architects said, “The project was developed to improve the sports facility offering to the pupils at Beaulieu, prompting their health and well-being. The success of the sports hall has enabled the school to rent the facility to various after school clubs and the community at weekends which has proved to be a great success.”

On specification George De Sousa explained, “We specified Taraflex sports vinyl flooring, after an element of research and receiving positive feedback regarding Gerflor’s sports offers following close collaboration with the school’s PE department.”

The overall management of the project would be tasked to Jersey-based AC Mauger. Founded in 1947, AC Mauger & Son Limited, was acquired by the Style Group in 1982 and has continued to deliver excellence in all aspects of the building industry. AC Mauger forms a major part of the Style Group and has been at the forefront of construction in Jersey for many years, delivering excellence in all aspects of the building industry.

AC Mauger is able to take on projects of all sizes within any element of the industry and has a proven track record throughout the island. They deliver projects on time, within budget and to the very highest standards. As the company has gathered many years of experience in the industry, their team of experts are well placed to advise customers on a variety of products, materials and design options which best suit the design and build requirements of any particular client. This in turn enables AC Mauger to produce the best finish within the required time, budget, and design brief.

Mark O’Shea, Contracts Manager at AC Mauger said, “We have been actively involved and working on various phases of Beaulieu Convent School for approximately four years, the Sports Hall being one of the last phases. Gerflor’s Taraflex sports flooring was specified by Page Architects as the best option for the project, thanks to its outstanding cushioning properties, exceptional comfort, and optimum safety for all users regardless of their age and ability and activity on the indoor sports surface.”

Mark O’Shea also commented,” In addition to the Taraflex sports floorings, we were delighted to be able to procure and specify other flooring solutions from Gerflor including Creation LVT for the Fitness suite and Corridors and Tarasafe Safety vinyl for the changing rooms. Working in partnership with Gerflor also enabled us to have the opportunity to access the Gradus portfolio, for Matting and Finishing solutions. Both the Gerflor and Gradus products specified are absolutely meeting the high expectations set by both the Architect and Beaulieu Convent School. We would definitely specify both Gerflor and Gradus flooring and finishing products again for other Education projects.

Mark O’Shea added, “This has turned out to be an incredible project to be involved with. We have received tremendous feedback from both the School and the Architect involved in this key transformation project. I am also aware that many leading sporting organisations are using the sports hall out of school hours and their comments on their user experiences have also been extremely positive and supportive to the facility upgrade.”

The installation element of the Beaulieu Convent School project would be undertaken by London-based JW Contract Flooring Ltd whose expertise and floor installation skills would deliver the high levels of finishing required.

Based near Hounslow in Kingston-upon-Thames, the Installer was established in 2008, their core activity is business-to-business installation services, backed up by a team with many years of combined experience in the supply and installation of premium quality floor and wall finishes. Respected for working to tight deadlines on installation projects through a willing team of professional flooring contractors, they are reactive to the needs of clients and help in the delivery of successful projects, across the commercial sector. They work professionally at all times and trade with a refreshingly honest approach to business, whilst maintaining high standards of workmanship at a competitive price.

James Waters, Company Director at JW Contracts commented, “We were delighted to be invited by Gerflor to see if we would like to be involved in this iconic project.”  On specification James Waters added, “The majority of the flooring finishes were already originally specified as Gerflor products. We decided to also put forward additional Gerflor and Gradus products for the refurbishment program, for the intended use of the spaces across the facility. The Gerflor and Gradus flooring and interior finishing products are extremely easy to install, user friendly and of a high quality whilst being competitively priced. There has been a lot of media interest in the project and on that basis, I would deem the project as an accomplished success.”

In conclusion Mark O’Shea said, “I would just like to add a big thank you to all parties involved. Gerflor and Gradus were extremely helpful in recommending a high-quality subcontractor, whom we had never worked with in Jersey before. This made the whole project very straight forward and reduced project delivery times.”

Summing up the Beaulieu Convent School project, James Waters said, “We would definitely choose Gerflor and Gradus products again. We have a strong working relationship with their specification teams and are looking to further build on it. The main contractor is now bidding for a much larger gymnasium project in Jersey alongside Gerflor. It has been a great pleasure working with the Gerflor and Gradus specification teams on this valuable project. It was completely seamless in terms of arranging the logistics and the lead times on the products were remarkable, especially considering the location of the project and that we are primarily a UK mainland contractor.”

Chris Pursey, Specification Manager, ended by adding, “It was a pleasure visiting the facility now that it is complete and fully operational. It was remarkable to be able to specify solutions for every part of the building, from the main sports hall, dance studio, gym, changing rooms and corridors. Even the finishing accessories including stair edgings and matting.”

George De Sousa concluded, “The Gerflor floor coverings and Gradus finishing solutions that we have recommended and then were specified are more than meeting the high expectations we set. We would definitely choose Gerflor and Gradus products again for other projects in the commercial and public sector. The final result throughout the school looks simply stunning, and as we had hoped, has made a real difference for the staff, pupils and other users and visitors across the board.”

Gerflor company overview

Gerflor is a manufacturer of comprehensive contract interior flooring solutions, including vinyl, linoleum, carpets, and rubber. Gerflor innovations help to create attractive and functional environments, as well as enhance and protect education interiors. Gerflor solutions are proven to enhance the longevity of a building whilst reducing long term maintenance costs. Gerflor works in partnership with the education sector to ensure buildings are safe and accessible for all users.

Gerflor products overview specified for Beaulieu Convent School

Taraflex® Performance Sports Vinyl Floorcovering

Taraflex Performance® is available in 22 all over colours and 4 wood-effect designs as standard, with an addition of 110 solid colour options available. It offers a P2 category shock absorbency of 35% to 45% and has a Triple Action Protecsol® surface treatment so that no polish is ever required for the lifetime of the floor and makes it easy to clean and maintain. Taraflex® Performance offers maximum hygiene with bacteriostatic and a fungistatic treatment and comes with the Triple Action Protecsol® surface treatment which provides easy maintenance, friction protection and ‘intelligent’ sliding coefficient. The surface reinforcement which delivers durability and abrasion resistance is provided by a unique D-Max fibreglass grid.

The Taraflex® range of sports floorings are available with a complete range of shock absorption P1/P2/P3 ratings, so that the right solution can be specified every time, whether it is for exercise or play or both and for all ages and ability. The family of Taraflex® sports floorings are sustainable solutions thanks to their unique product construction.

Taraflex® sports flooring has been fitted at every Olympic Games since 1976. Approved by many National and International governing bodies as a world class indoor sports surface, it is also widely installed within the education, community, leisure, health, and fitness sectors. Taraflex® is ideal for new build projects and refurbishments and is extremely durable and cost effective to maintain. Over six million children everyday enjoy the benefits of Taraflex® sports flooring, which can be used for various multi-specialist sports and leisure applications.

Creation 55 LVT

The Creation 55 LVT Collection delivers a myriad of design classics in both contemporary wood and mineral decors. Available in tile and plank formats with a high definition of design & structured emboss for added ultra-realism. The crystal wear layer ensures an authentic finish and products come with bevelled edges. The revolutionary ProtectShield™ surface treatment delivers enhanced scratch and stain resistance and reduces maintenance costs as the product range is extremely easy to clean.

Available in Dryback, Solid Clic, Rigid Acoustic and Looselay formats, with new Herringbone Classics for all hardworking interiors. Suitable for contract applications including Education, Offices, Public Spaces. When a customised interior is at the forefront of a designer’s eye the need to explore the world of possibilities by mixing and matching colours with specific designs really becomes crucial. With Creation 55 LVT, if a Mix and Match floor scheme is required, designers can combine, contrast, or mix up references completely for a unique and customised floor scheme. The options are simply limitless providing a vast palette of incredible choices.

Tarasafe Safety Vinyl Floorcovering

Tarasafe Standard is a range of slip resistant safety sheet flooring that meets HSE guidelines. It is constructed from vinyl with deeply inlaid mineral crystal particles (patent pending) and coloured chips for a decorative design. It contains no Carborundum and is reinforced with a glass fibre grid for additional dimensional stability and is suitable for use in all areas of heavy traffic where slip-resistance, durability and hygienic conditions are required.

This safety flooring benefits from Sparclean® surface treatment for extreme resistance to soiling and staining. It is also treated with an anti-bacterial and fungicidal treatment. This particular product comes with a 12-year warranty and is 100% recyclable, when the product is at the end of its’ life. Additional benefits include:

1. An easy to clean and maintain compacted nonporous surface.
2. Enhanced colour, design, and brightness of mineral crystal particles
3. Stain and chemical resistant SparClean® surface treatment, no polish for life!
4. Maximum hygiene with bacteriostatic and fungistatic treatment

Gradus Stratus Carpet Tiles

Gradus Stratus Carpet tiles are suitable for heavy commercial environments and provides the ideal solution for commercial office and education environments. They have an Impact Noise Rating of 23dB which means the physical impact of footsteps, furniture moving, and objects being dropped, is reduced by 23dB. Stratus comes with a 12-year wear warranty meaning the carpet is more durable and requires less repair or replacement during the building’s lifecycle. This therefore reduces the operational carbon impact of a building.

Gradus Stratus also scores highly on the environment front as it contains 78% total recycled content, and its yarn is 100% ECONYL regenerated Solution Dyed Nylon yarn which is produced using nylon waste that is recovered from oceans and landfill. The nylon waste goes through a regenerated and purification process and recycled back into its original purity and then used to manufacture Stratus carpet tiles. The Bitumen backing of Stratus also contains 75% recycled material.

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest flooring innovations.

Gradus company overview

Gradus is a manufacturer of comprehensive contract interior solutions, including stair edgings, floor trims, barrier matting, lighting, and wall protection. Gradus innovations help to ensure that buildings are safe and accessible, whilst also providing inclusive environments for all users. Gradus products enhance safety, aesthetics, and sustainability in schools and across other educational facilities.

Gradus products overview specified for Beaulieu Convent School

Esplanade 8500 Matting

Gradus Esplanade 8500 is a primary entrance barrier mat constructed from rubber wipers and aluminium scraper linking strips which are held together with galvanised steel wires. The rubber wipers are available either plain or interwoven with polyester fibres in a choice of Grey or Black giving options for both interior and exterior environments.

The aluminium scraper linking strips are anodised for use in internal environments to help reduce glare/strobing in brightly lit areas and are available in a silver anodised finish for use with grey wipers and black or a choice of bronze finishes for use with either black or grey wipers. The scraper linking strips for use with plain wipers are mill finished aluminium.

Esplanade 8500 is available in 12mm and 18mm thicknesses, open and closed construction and in a single or double wiper configuration. It is tested to withstand weights of up to 150kg per wheel (dependent on finish) to a minimum of 30,000 passes. It is also tested for flammability and slip-resistance.

Esplanade 8500 can be manufactured to most shapes subject to approval of a template and has a warranty of up to 10 years (dependent on finish and subject to terms & conditions). For a complete matting solution Esplanade 8500 can also be used with Boulevard secondary barrier matting.

Boulevard 5000 Matting

Boulevard 5000 is a tufted cut pile; high performance barrier matting manufactured from ECONYL® regenerated solution dyed nylon. It incorporates a light scraper for dirt removal and features a heathered design to disguise the effects of soiling. It also offers excellent moisture retention properties. Boulevard 5000 is suitable for interior use in most contract environments including retail, education, healthcare, and commercial office. It is ideal for use in circulation areas such as foyers & receptions, lift lobbies, staircases, corridors and walkways, vending & canteen areas, and service points.

Boulevard 5000 is available in 500 x 500mm bitumen backed tiles and 2m sheet with impervious pvc backing for easy installation. It is also easy to maintain, being resistant to bleach solutions.

Learn more about Gradus solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing imail@gradus.com, or visiting gradus.com for the latest barrier matting, wall protection, lighting, and flooring accessory innovations.

Taraflex®, building a sustainable future…

Gerflor’s new Taraflex® is an eco-designed flooring solution that reduces carbon emissions without compromising on its technical performance. In addition to delivering the highest quality, Gerflor is committed to sustainability and responsible resource management. By 2025, Gerflor aims to achieve a number of environmental targets which includes a 20% reduction in its carbon footprint, together with delivering 10% bio-based content with 30% of their products made of recycled content. The overall aim is to also enable 35% of future installations to be loose laid. This initiative will be bolstered by delivering 60,000 tons of annual recycling coupled with 81% of their products made of bio-content, mineral and recycled material. It’s a bold eco-move to make Gerflor the real champions in sustainability.

Commenting on the sustainability features of Taraflex® David Carter, Gerflor National Sales Manager Sports Flooring said, “Thanks to its high natural and recycled content and comprehensive eco-design, Taraflex achieves an exemplary 43% smaller carbon footprint than the previous version, which is a notable choice for any decarbonising building interior projects. 81% of the new Taraflex® sports flooring is made from salt, recycled content, bio content, and chalk”.

The new Taraflex® sports flooring from Gerflor takes sustainability to the next level by also incorporating soya waste discarded by the animal feed industry, significantly reducing the environmental impact of its production. With low VOC emissions and allergen-free properties, Taraflex® fosters a healthy indoor environment. It is designed to support the well-being of everyone, from athletes to spectators, contributing to cleaner air quality and improved safety. Very simply…choosing the new Taraflex® sports floor means making an active contribution to a greener and more sustainable future.

Champions in safety…

The all-important element of safety is also seen as a crucial factor in delivering the high quality synonymous with this world class sports floor, which is crafted for excellent fall protection, helping to minimise the risk of injuries. Taraflex® is supremely versatile and is suitable for a variety of uses—from intense athletic events to community gatherings. As with most end user requirements the durability of any sports floor plays a vital role in the final specification decision. Taraflex® is built to withstand rigorous sports activities, and is suitable for high foot traffic. It has become the leading choice in sports flooring for a large selection of UK sports and leisure venues, as well as in the Education and Public sectors.

David Carter, further commented, “The new Taraflex sports floor is more than just a flooring solution, as it helps to amplify the energy and performance of athletes during every match or game, providing a powerful foundation for success.”

Champions in performance…

Taraflex® is made for all users and usages, from low impact activities to elite and performance sports. Shock absorption properties minimise the force of impact on the body and reduce long term injury risk. Taraflex® technologies ensure long-lasting high performance throughout the product’s lifetime with a warranty of 15 years.

Providing an enriched design capability…

With a wide choice of designs, including 29 colours, featuring both wood and solid finishes, the improved Taraflex® range ensures a perfect match for a vast range of projects and all budgets. Whether specifiers or designers are looking to create a standout sports area or a cohesive design across multiple facilities, Taraflex® allows them to customise their flooring needs to suit their aesthetic preferences.

Paris Games 2024…

As the official sports flooring supplier for the Paris 2024 Games, Gerflor was dedicated to providing three key priorities of safety, performance, and sustainability. Gerflor floors are engineered to support athletes at the highest level, while upholding their commitment to the environment.  Gerflor innovate by combining sporting excellence with environmental responsibility. At the 2024 Paris Games Gerflor supplied over 33,000 m2 of flooring for 8 sports providing 40 sports surfaces.

Versatility and Future Proofing…

Over 8 million pupils everyday enjoy the benefits of Taraflex® sports flooring as it delivers a versatile range that can be used for various multi-specialist applications. Taraflex® is ideal for new build projects and refurbishments and is extremely durable and cost effective to maintain.

The Triple Action Protecsol® surface treatment ensures that no polish is ever required for the lifetime of the floor, it also saves on both water and energy consumption, as part of a cleaning and maintenance regime, excellent news for the planet and future generations.

Taraflex® meets the EN 14904 Standard, which is the minimum performance requirements to be met by indoor sports floors. Its objective is to draw attention to the necessity of installing safe and comfortable floors that will reduce the risk of injuries.

With a complete range of outstanding sports surfaces that can meet specification requirements for compliance with P1/P2/P3 shock absorption Taraflex® sports floorings are perfect for delivering optimal safety and protection for users, regardless of their age and sporting ability. The combination of D-Max™/D-Max™+, CXP™HD foam, ensures that Taraflex® sports floorings are durable, high-performing and stand the test of time. The exclusive Taraflex® technology ensures that the sports floors are longer-lasting …a massive boon, when long-term planning and budgeting are perceived as being two key considerations for specifiers.

David Carter summed up the new Taraflex® sports flooring by saying, “Whether in sports facilities, schools, or commercial spaces, Taraflex adapts perfectly to a variety of environments and applications. This provides unmatched performance and flexibility. The new Taraflex sports floor now gives millions of children the chance to play their favourite sport comfortably and safely every day.”

Gerflor Company Overview

Gerflor is a manufacturer of comprehensive contract interior flooring solutions, including vinyl, linoleum, carpets, and rubber. Gerflor innovations help to create attractive and functional environments, as well as enhance and building interiors . Gerflor solutions are proven to enhance the longevity of a building, whilst also reducing long term maintenance costs. Gerflor works in partnership with the commercial sector to ensure buildings are safe and accessible for all users.

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest flooring innovations.

King’s College in Taunton, Somerset is an independent co-educational boarding and day school offering places to pupils from ages thirteen to eighteen. The school occupies a secluded and beautiful site of over 80 acres on the south side of Taunton, and just a few minutes from the town centre. The main building is an outstanding example of nineteenth-century architecture, with the entire site, a mixture of traditional and modern buildings. As well as an academic programme of robust subjects, there is a multitude of sports and co-curricular activities available that are popular across all age groups. The school provides inspired teaching, superb facilities, and the nurturing of individual potential, combines to create an environment in which young people achieve remarkable things. The outstanding modern facilities and stunning location ensure that children enjoy a challenging all-round education in a progressive, secure, and stimulating environment.

The renovation project provides a new, contemporary, low energy 6th Form, set within the historic learning environment of Kings College. The building accommodates a burgeoning programme of education and life skills, to make King’s College an even more attractive option for their 16+ pupils. The building is modern, flexible, inspiring, technologically advanced, sympathetic to new learning strategies and anchored in sustainable energy principles.

The Gerflor Specification Sales Manager at the time of the installation, Chris Pursey said, “Rud Sawers Architects initially specified Creation 55 LVT for the reception and stairways but approached Gerflor to discuss other areas within the project. The Architect, Rud Sawers Architects Ltd found it beneficial to speak with us about the whole project including carpet tiles, safety flooring and flooring accessories, together with stair edgings and entrance matting. Specifying Gerflor and also Gradus throughout the project, saved considerable time compared with dealing with multiple manufacturers, and the client was extremely pleased with the vast range of products to choose from within our portfolio.”

Totnes-based architects Rud Sawers has a simple design philosophy which is to transform project constraints into positive opportunities that produce inventive, unique, and beautiful buildings. Their practice has been steadily building a reputation for its exciting contemporary yet sensitive design approach and offer a full range of architectural design services.

Rud Sawers, Director, Rud Sawers Architects Ltd commented, “In 2016, Rud Sawers Architects (RSA) won a design competition to design a new Arts building on the site. This was completed in 2018 and was received very positively by the client and the pupils. We were invited, alongside other architects to compete for a new commission to design a new Sixth Form building. We were selected as the Architect and enjoy a very positive professional relationship with the school.”

On specification Rud Sawers went on to further say, “The Gerflor and Gradus products we specified, were fit for purpose and available in attractive finishes that perfectly suited the visual identity we were trying to create for the educational establishment. We specified Gerflor flooring for the ground floor, first floor and second floor of the building.”

Commenting further on the project Rud Sawers said, “The real challenge however with this project, was working through the Covid Pandemic, maintaining construction momentum and meeting the brief for carbon Net Zero operations head on, which we achieved with a great degree of success.”

The installation of the considerable amount of Gerflor flooring and Gradus Accessory products would need to be of the highest standards, as set by both the school and the architect. The delivery of the final outcome would be the responsibility of Bristol-based Gollop Contract Flooring.

Started in 1981, Gollop Contract Flooring are a successful family-run Bristol business specialising in commercial flooring installation. They pride themselves on delivering exceptional service to clients, both existing and new. With over 40 years of experience, they specialise in providing the very best of commercial flooring and employ in excess of 50 operatives and staff. During their many years of trading, experience and service has enabled the company to provide cost-effective solutions to any flooring project along with the deserved reputation and professional quality of their staff and workmanship from skilled craftsmen.

Matt Donovan, Contracts Manager, Gollop Flooring commented, “We have worked in partnership with CG Fry the contractors on several projects and this was one of several projects, where we had been awarded the flooring package. The Gerflor and Gradus products that we installed were specified by the Architect Rud Sawers.”

On specification, Matt Donovan went on to further comment, “The overall project was approximately 800m2 which included a mixture of Gerflor Honey Oak LVT, Gradus Graphite & Peridot carpet tiles and Gerflor Brescia Tarasafe Impression safety vinyl. Part of the building was on a concrete base and other sections on a timber base, which required different preparation works to ensure correct installation of all the flooring products.”

On installation Matt Donovan added, “Our lead fitter Jamie Hook did a remarkable job on the installation and working with the site team over a period of six weeks.”

Matt Donovan concluded, “This was an iconic project to be involved with. Every flooring installation can have its unique challenges but overall, this one was extremely straightforward to lay, thanks to the technologically advanced solutions that were specified.

I understand the building is now in full use and the new Gerflor flooring and Gradus accessory products are performing very well. We work with Gerflor and Gradus on many projects and consider them to be some of the best manufacturers in the industry.”

Rob Walker, Gerflor Specification Sales Manager, who worked with the Installer to manage the project concluded by saying, “The client is extremely pleased with the overall finished result. It was a notable project to work on and be involved with, and being able to supply a wide range of elite flooring and interior solutions that met the required brief was always our end goal for the client. The education establishment is future proofed for many years to come.”

In conclusion Rud Sawers commented, “We are delighted with the final result, the specified flooring and accessory products are performing extremely well, providing a robust and easily maintainable flooring solution for the hardworking school. We would definitely choose Gerflor and Gradus again, as they have delivered a high-quality range of products, which are equally matched by their excellent specification and customer service.”

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest flooring innovations.

Learn more about Gradus solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing imail@gradus.com, or visiting gradus.com for the latest barrier matting, wall protection, lighting and flooring accessory innovations.

Coleg y Cymoedd was formed in 2013, following the merger of The College Ystrad Mynach and Coleg Morgannwg. Over 10,000 learners’ study at Coleg y Cymoedd each year. The college offers a wide range of Full and Part Time courses from Entry to Degree Level in over 15 Curriculum areas. The college has invested significantly in its facilities in recent years, with standout projects including the Nantgarw Campus building (a £40 million award winning campus).

Commenting on the project Tony Thorne, Specification Manager, Gerflor, South Wales said, “Carpet Services are a well-known flooring contractor in Wales. who I visit regularly to review and discuss projects with as well as new pipeline opportunities.” Tony Thorne added, “I went to see Carpet Services and was in the right place at the right time with the discussion focusing on the library refurbishment of the Nantgarw student Campus. The client wanted to replace the flooring in the library, and required a floorcovering that would match their black and green colour scheme. The recommendation was to use Streetwise Design with Emphasis, and Stratus as a flooring solution which the client was delighted with.”

Tony Thorne also said, “Whilst the initial requirement was for approximately 300m2 flooring for the library, the end user was so pleased with the final result they chose to work with Gerflor and Carpet Services for other areas of the refurbishment programme across the entire campus.”

The Nantgarw student Campus project provided Gerflor with the perfect platform to showcase a raft of other high-quality flooring solutions ideal for the demands of the modern-day education environment. The project would amount to an immense 5300m2 of Gerflor products being specified for not only the library, but also the communal areas, changing rooms and their sports hall.
The design and specification of the Nantgarw Sports Centre of Excellence would fall to Cardiff-based architects Austin-Smith: Lord, who provide award-winning Architectural, Interior Design and Landscape Design services across multiple sectors across the UK. They have a growing portfolio of refurbishment work in the education sector, spearheaded by their growing specialist team of Interior Designers.

Jonanthan Jones, Associate at Austin- Smith: Lord commented, “We have a long-standing and successful relationship with the College, having previously designed a new campus for them in Aberdare and also helped them to re-purpose and improve much of their existing campus in Ystrad Mynach. The College were keen to explore what was possible on a prominent parcel of land to the south of the existing Nantgarw campus, with a view to creating a high quality, flagship sports facility, and engaged us and Mott MacDonald Project Management to complete a feasibility study. The study was greatly assisted by our UK-wide experience in the Further Education and Sports sectors, not least the recently completed Forge project for Coleg Sir Gar.”

On specification Jonathan Jones said, “We originally specified Gerflor for the sports hall flooring, given their proven quality and range of products to suit a variety of requirements when it comes to sports vinyl, and we have delivered several other successful projects, where we have specified Gerflor’s Taraflex indoor sports surface. The black sports flooring was selected as it complimented the overall concept, providing a striking feature in the main sports space and appeared in our very earliest Twin motion visualisations and flythroughs, which captured the enthusiasm of the client and stakeholders. With the internal colour scheme based around the college’s colours of greens, teals, greys, and blacks, we saw an opportunity to combine that and reflect the external black cladding in the sports hall floor, creating a bold contrast with the teal walls, and coloured sports line markings.”

The installation of such prestigious and large flooring project would be the responsibility of Carpet Services Flooring, Cardiff. The company is a leader in contract commercial flooring and domestic flooring, and it is a family run business, which prides itself on its delivering exceptionally high standards of service, quality products and affordable prices.

For the Sports Centre of Excellence (which is a new build), Carpet Services installed 720m2 of Taraflex Performance in ‘Black’, 90m2 of Powershock 300 Gym Tile and 400m2 of Tarasafe Ultra ‘Opal’ in corridors and changing rooms. The installation would also supply flooring for the main college building refurbishment which would include Gradus Stratus ‘Jetstream’ on multiple floors and corridors, together with classrooms, library, and office with pockets of Gradus Streetwise in ‘Green,’ ‘Orange’ and ‘Blue’ along with Gradus Emphasis Loop in the same Green, Orange and Blue on separate floors. To date the project has used approximately 4000m2 of Gradus Stratus and 300m2 of Gradus Streetwise. Other areas of the college that would benefit from Gerflor and Gradus products would be the wood-working area where 100m2 of Gerflor’s’ Tarasafe Ultra safety flooring in ‘Granite’ would be used, together with 100m2 of Gradus Boulevard Stripe matting in 1Raven1 and 100m2 of Boulevard 6000 in ‘Nightfall’.

Commenting on specification and products Ray Gallivan, Contract Manager at Carpet Services said, “We have already had ongoing work from the college and have ourselves specified and installed Gerflor for many years. They are extremely helpful and provide an excellent product portfolio of flooring products.” On the actual installation itself, Ray Gallivan further added, “We had two fitters which makes up one team which is then bolstered with extra teams as required. The installation began at the end of May which meant that we would be ready and completed for the new term which was on the 2nd of September. All the Gerflor and Gradus flooring products that we used were extremely easy to lay as they are fantastic products to work with.”

Tony Thorne concluded by saying, “This project is so prestigious that we have entered it into the ‘Refurbishment of the Year’ award at Education Estates Magazine.
Very simply, this award recognises either a school, college or university refurbishment project that has made a difference to the educational or research experience. In our opinion the Nantgarw student Campus project delivers on all the criteria that the judges will be looking for which includes the overall quality of design and manufacturing, which is extremely high, as is the client engagement and their satisfaction with the service and solution they received.”

In conclusion Ray Gallivan said, “The Gerflor flooring products that were specified for this iconic project are really meeting the high standards required for the end user. We would continue to use Gerflor on a weekly basis. The final result at the college is extremely impressive.”

On client expectations, Jonathan Jones ended by saying, “The Gerflor flooring products specified are absolutely meeting the high specifications set for the education project and client’s brief. The main circulation spaces were actually a last-minute alteration to the Gerflor products, and so to achieve the performance and appearance requirements with their alternatives in such a short space of time was absolutely vital to us. Again, the monochromatic palette is accentuated by the subtle concrete effect, providing a high-quality finish to all vinyl spaces. We would definitely specify Gerflor again. The sports hall especially looks fantastic with the diffuse light and silhouettes reflected off the black vinyl, so we are incredibly delighted with the final finish. “

Gerflor products overview specified for Coleg Y Cymoedd Nantgarw

Gerflor is a manufacturer of comprehensive contract interior flooring solutions, including vinyl, linoleum, carpets, and rubber. Gerflor innovations help to create attractive and functional environments, as well as enhance and protect education interiors. Gerflor solutions are proven to enhance the longevity of a building whilst reducing long term maintenance costs. Gerflor works in partnership with the education sector to ensure buildings are safe and accessible for all users.
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Gerflor Vinyl Sports Flooring

Taraflex Performance

Taraflex® Performance is available in 17 all over colours and 4 wood-effect designs as standard, with an addition of 110 solid colour options available.

It offers a P2 category shock absorbency of 35% to 45 and has a Triple Action Protecsol® surface treatment so that no polish is ever required for the lifetime of the floor and makes it easy to clean and maintain. Taraflex® Performance offers maximum hygiene with bacteriostatic and a fungistatic treatment and comes with the Triple Action Protecsol® surface treatment which provides easy maintenance, friction protection and ‘intelligent’ sliding coefficient. The surface reinforcement which delivers durability and abrasion resistance is provided by a unique D-Max fibreglass grid.

Taraflex® sports floorings are available with a complete range of shock absorption P1/P2/P3 ratings, so that the right solution can be specified every time, whether it is for exercise or play or both and for all ages and ability. The family of Taraflex® sports floorings are sustainable solutions thanks to their unique product construction.

Taraflex® sports flooring has been fitted at every Olympic Games since 1976. Approved by many National and International governing bodies as a world class indoor sports surface, it is also widely installed within the education, community, leisure, health, and fitness sectors. Taraflex® is ideal for new build projects and refurbishments and is extremely durable and cost effective to maintain. Over six million children everyday enjoy the benefits of Taraflex® sports flooring, which can be used for various multi-specialist sports and leisure applications.

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Gerflor Carpet Collections

Gradus Carpets inc. Stratus, Streetwise Design, Emphasis

Gradus Stratus is suitable for heavy commercial environments and provides the ideal solution for commercial office and education environments. It has an Impact Noise Rating of 23dB which means the physical impact of footsteps, furniture moving, and objects being dropped, is reduced by 23dB. Stratus comes with a 12-year wear warranty meaning the carpet is more durable and requires less repair or replacement during the building’s lifecycle. This therefore reduces the operational carbon impact of a building.

Gradus Stratus also scores highly on the environment front as it contains 78% total recycled content, and its yarn is 100% ECONYL regenerated Solution Dyed Nylon yarn which is produced using nylon waste that is recovered from oceans and landfill. The nylon waste goes through a regenerated and purification process and recycled back into its original purity and then used to manufacture Stratus carpet tiles. The Bitumen backing of Stratus also contains 75% recycled material.

Gradus Streetwise Design from Gradus is an attractive textured loop pile carpet tile which is designed to be installed randomly. Available in a range of complementary colours. Streetwise Design comprises Originals and Brights and can be combined with Stratus Jet Stream and the Emphasis carpet tile range to create interesting and contemporary floor schemes. Streetwise Design is suitable for a wide range of environments including commercial offices and education.

Gradus Emphasis collection features a selection of bright accent colours which is available in a loop pile carpet tile. Made from ECONYL® regenerated solution dyed nylon, Emphasis is suitable for use as an accent colour in a wide range of environments including commercial, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and education.

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Gerflor Rubber Tiles

Powershock 300 from Gerflor is a high impact rubber flooring solution that is designed to be both functional and hardwearing. The range is more durable and easier to clean and maintain than standard rubber flooring and provides up to 5 times more resistance to indentation. Powershock 300 is a 30mm thick high impact rubber flooring tile ideal for free weight and heavy weight areas in any gym or fitness facility. Their pre-installed connector pins make for easy installation. Powershock 300 avoids deep-impact damage while providing outstanding sound deadening.

The tiles are made from vulcanised rubber to increase their strength and durability, the non-porous wearlayer is impermeable and odourless. Powershock 300 also delivers fantastic shock absorption qualities and sound installation of 26dB, whilst also providing important protection for the existing subfloor. Powershock 300 is the ideal solution for an array of fitness which include hard-working gyms and leisure spaces where performance and durability are key requirements.

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Gerflor Vinyl Safety Flooring

Tarasafe Ultra

Tarasafe is a range of slip resistant sheet flooring that meets HSE guidelines. It is constructed from vinyl with deeply inlaid mineral crystal particles (patent pending) and coloured chips for a decorative design. Contains no Carborundum. Tarasafe is reinforced with a glass fibre grid and is suitable for use in all areas of heavy traffic where slip-resistance, durability and hygienic conditions are required.

This safety flooring benefits from Sparclean® surface treatment for extreme resistance to soiling and staining. It is also treated with an anti-bacterial and fungicidal treatment. This particular product comes with a 12-year warranty and is 100% recyclable, when the product is at the end of its’ life.

Benefits of Tarasafe SparClean® Treated Vinyl Safety Flooring

1. Easy to clean and maintain compacted nonporous surface.
2. Enhanced colour, design, and brightness of mineral crystal particles
3. Stain and chemical resistant SparClean® surface treatment, no polish for life!
4. Maximum hygiene with bacteriostatic and fungistatic treatment
Gradus products overview specified for Coleg Y Cymoedd Nantgarw

Gradus is a manufacturer of comprehensive contract interior solutions, including stair edgings, floor trims, barrier matting, lighting, and wall protection. Gradus innovations help to create attractive and functional environments, as well as enhance and protect education interiors. Gradus solutions are proven to enhance the longevity of a building whilst reducing long term maintenance costs. Gradus works in partnership with the education sector to ensure buildings are safe and accessible for all users.

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Gradus Accessories Secondary Barrier Matting Boulevard

Boulevard 6000 is a tufted cut pile, high performance barrier matting manufactured from ECONYL® regenerated solution dyed nylon. It features a patterned designed to disguise the effects of soiling and incorporates a heavy scraper for optimum dirt removal and moisture retention. It is easy to maintain and resistant to bleach solutions. Boulevard 6000 is suitable for use in most contract environments including retail, education, healthcare, and commercial office and is ideal for use in heavily trafficked circulation areas e.g. foyers & receptions, lift lobbies, staircases, corridors and walkways, vending & canteen areas, and service points.

Available in two easy to install formats – 2m sheets with impervious pvc backing and 500mm x 500mm tile with bitumen backing – Boulevard 6000 is BSEN13501 Cfl-s1 fire rated and has also been tested for colour fastness and to BSEN1307 for wear resistance. Boulevard 6000 has a 10 -year wear warranty (subject to terms and conditions). It can also be used in conjunction with Esplanade 6000 primary barrier matting and Access 6000 and Mat-in-a-Box 6000 hybrid barrier matting to provide a cost-effective, coordinated system at entrances and access points.

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest flooring innovations.

Learn more about Gradus solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing imail@gradus.com, or visiting gradus.com for the latest barrier matting, wall protection, lighting, and flooring accessory innovations.

Chris Pursey, Gerflor Area Sales Manager at the time, Southwest & Channel Islands commented, “Leisure East Devon (LED) runs a number of similar sites for East Devon Council, and they have specified Taraflex^® on other sites, so they had full confidence in our systems.”

The installation of the Gerflor Taraflex^® Performance flooring by Plymouth-based Roberts Flooring would need to be of the highest quality to meet the exacting standards set by East Devon Council.

Dave Moran, Managing Director, Roberts Flooring said, “Although this project already had Gerflor specified, we have carried out several sports floor installations using Gerflor products, one of which included Torquay Grammar School for Boys, this project had both Roberts Flooring and Gerflor nominated in the CFJ Flooring Awards in 2020. I believe that the client and end users are overjoyed with the new Gerflor Taraflex^® sports floor.”

Steve Parker, Area Building Surveyor, East Devon District Council said, “The new Taraflex floor is ‘outstanding and first class’ and much nicer than they had before. At East Devon District Council, we are extremely pleased with the new Olympic pedigree Taraflex^® sports flooring.”

Taraflex^® Performance is a synthetic indoor sports flooring that can be specified for a wide range of sports applications, in a variety of sectors. It delivers optimal safety, comfort, and performance for users, as well as being available in an extensive choice of vibrant designs, making it the ideal choice for a host of locations.

This rare, privately owned ‘back yard project’ would need to have the highest standards of fitting to fully deliver a top-flight finish. The task would be the responsibility of Birmingham-based Bradleys Surfacing Systems. A family owned and operated company, Bradleys Surfacing Systems was formed in 2012 by Tom and Ray Bradley to offer a range of products and services to the UK marketplace. Bradleys Surfacing Systems are suppliers and installers of a range of synthetic sports, play and landscaping surfaces for both commercial and educational settings.

Tom Bradley, Managing Director Bradleys Surfacing Systems said,” The initial request came directly from the client who wanted a top end basketball facility in their garden. It’s the first time we’ve completed an install in a domestic setting dedicated to basketball use only. We specified Gerflor’s PowerGame™ Plus outdoor sports surface thanks to its unique construction, it was also fit for purpose for the application and would take minimal time to install.”

PowerGame™ Plus from Sport Court ® is the safest outdoor court in the world, featuring the lowest skin abrasion of any outdoor court surface and is made of the highest quality materials and UV stabilisers to protect it from wear and tear. It is a perfect fit for a host of performance sports including badminton, tennis, basketball, netball and hockey. The patented Double-Tier shock absorbing grid and Lateral Forgiveness™ reduces joint strain and fatigue to help participants play longer and more safely than ever.

Available in 12 stunning colour choices the performance of PowerGame™ Plus is also designed to deliver excellent ball bounce, a huge factor in both on- court response and enjoyment. So, no-one plays a dull game. Its’ modular system allows a quick and cost-effective transformation of an existing space. Designed to overlay outdated concrete or asphalt surfaces, transforming them into colourful play surfaces in the blink of an eye. Sport Court® floors do not require yearly, costly refinishing and are perfect for MUGA’s (Multi-Use Games Areas), Education facilities, Leisure and Sporting Events. and ideal for both athletes and the community. It is easily possible to build a new court, renovate an existing space, or set up portable courts for a tournament or event.

On fitting and installation Tom Bradley further commented, “We used two of our highly trained fitters to lay the Gerflor Sport Court floor which was easily completed in a single day.” Tom Bradley added, “The Sport Court PowerGame™ tiles were exceptionally easy and fast to lay.”

Tom Bradley ended by saying,” This was a superb install for this ‘sports energetic’ family in Gloucester. The preparation work involved constructing a fully engineered base which incorporated a layer of porous macadam to create a well-draining all weather surface, which works perfectly with the Gerflor Sports Court system.”

Commenting on this unique project Chris Newey, Gerflor Area Sales Specification Manager, West Midlands said, “PowerGame™ Plus provided this installation with an exceptional playing experience, together with also ensuring a high level of player safety and comfort,”

Sport Court® PowerGame™ Plus product summary

More athletic events are played on Sport Court® surfaces than on any other outdoor sports flooring in the world. Sport Court® is a registered trademark of Connor Sport Court® International and is used to identify the original and authentic modular sport surfaces developed and continuously improved since they were introduced in 1974.

With Gerflor’s modular PowerGame™ Plus tiles, everyone has the opportunity to share a host of memorable sporting and recreational experiences. PowerGame™ Plus tiles are fun, available in vibrant colours so you can create eye catching designs that enhance any recreation area and are safe to play on. Designed for a wide variety of sports, the tiles are an ideal outdoor playing surface for every practice and ambition, from children to champions. Used at the highest levels of competition by being a partner of sports federations, this solution is manufactured to offer amazing and long-lasting aesthetics, with easy court customisation.

What’s more, Sport Court surfaces are guaranteed to keep their good looks for years to come with minimal maintenance. With a packaging of 40 tiles, in ranges of 8 pre-assembled tiles, the installation is easy and fast. The installation of finishing solutions and the painting of game lines will perfect the court transformation. Disassembly is as easy and quick as assembly.

PowerGame™ Plus tiles provide exceptional game experience, together with ensuring the players’ safety whilst eliminating costly annual maintenance. PowerGame™ Plus also provides easy and fast renovations. It has a Top Grid, Open Diamond pattern for better traction homogeneity and water drainage. The robust interlocking system provides optimal durability and safety with the saddle-shaped second grid, designed to prevent water retention.

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 03332 412901, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.

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Collegiate has an impressive sporting legacy, unsurprising given their outstanding on-site sports facilities that are truly unique to Bristol. Their strong sporting tradition is at the heart of everyday school life, encouraging everyone regardless of age and sporting ability to get more involved in physical education. It is a strongly held belief that exercise, and playing sports is important to maintain a healthy mind and it also allows each pupil to develop self-esteem and a strong team spirit. Their main sports hall has a multi-purpose goal and can be set up to provide badminton courts, cricket nets, a netball court, volleyball courts, a basketball court or five a side football pitch. In addition to this, the entire hall can be used for martial arts, dance classes or other similar classes.

Choosing the highest quality indoor sports replacement floor would be paramount to the ongoing success of their main sports hall facility. The changing rooms and showering areas in many educational locations can often be wet and slippery environments and this is where the Tarasafe Ultra and Tarasafe Ultra H20 safety collections were the ideal solutions for Collegiate School.

The Tarasafe products would also provide the perfect choice for the school’s stairs offering pupils, staff and visitors the required safety and comfort needed at the education establishment. Commenting on the instigation of the project Simon Crossman, Director of Facilities, Collegiate said, “The sports hall was nearly forty years old and the cost to build a new hall was too expensive, therefore a full refurbishment was chosen.” Simon Crossman went on to add, “Originally the refurb was to concentrate on the lights, ventilation and heating and hot water and replace the floor. On M&E refurb projects, it can be hard to see where the money has been spent, consequently the floor was to be a key visual sign for the parents that we had refurbished the hall.”

On specification Simon Crossman went on to further comment, “We wanted a bright multi-sport surface and a surface which could cope with ad-hoc school activities such as assemblies, prizegivings and summer/leavers balls. Therefore, the floor had to be resilient, take the point loading of a high heel or a chair and not dent or deform in any way which could affect the playing surface. Another requirement was to have an indoor cricket area which didn’t involve laying additional mats. The Taraflex® indoor sports solution delivers this specification in spades.”

Chris Pursey, Gerflor Area Sales Manager, Southwest & Channel Islands commented, “The collection of Gerflor ranges used on this project were specified by Quattro Design Architects, who chose Taraflex® in colour Lagoon for the main playing area with a run-off border in Gold which looks very striking. The specifier only wanted the best-in-class solution for the facility, and it needed to meet the various requirements for the end user”.

The installation of the Gerflor products would have to be of the highest standard to meet the rigorous specification requirements and would be the responsibility of Bristol-based Knighton Contracts. Knighton Contracts are specialist in commercial flooring providing solutions to many of the UK’s leading construction contractors, providing a reliable, trustworthy, and efficient flooring service for a host of projects for over forty years. Lee Knighton, Director commented, “The project initially came to us from the contractors KP Wilton with the specification coming from Quattro Design.”

On installation, Lee Knighton said, “We had absolutely no problems laying down the Gerflor Taraflex® and Tarasafe products and everybody seemed extremely delighted with the final finish of the new flooring installed.” Commenting on the performance of the new flooring Simon Crossman also added, “The floor has now been down for over a year and is the significant wow factor in this critical refurbishment. The parents and visitors all comment on how remarkable it looks. We have also had great support in understanding how to remove cricket ball marks from the floor. Chris Pursey, from Gerflor, has been really helpful in providing technical support and sourcing the correct cleaning products to help maintain the high quality appearance of the floor.”

Lee Knighton finally said, “We would definitely choose to specify and install Gerflor products again. The new Gerflor sports surface and safety flooring looks really superb. We also found that Gerflor provided high quality assistance right throughout the project. From enquiry through to delivery, their Area Specification Manager ‘Chris Pursey’ provided outstanding levels of customer service and technical and specification advice.”

On final outcomes Chris Pursey added, “The client is incredibly happy with the final finish and performance of their new Taraflex® sports floor, particularly as the hall is used regularly for indoor cricket. It’s been a rewarding project to be involved in, as we were able to supply the total flooring solutions they were seeking.”

In conclusion Simon Crossman said, “The whole project has been a fantastic success with the floor being the most visual part. Eye catching and dramatic has been the final result.” Taraflex® indoor sports surfaces overview Taraflex® Performance easily meets the rigorous demands of vast array of sports activities providing excellent co-efficient of friction, this means twists, turns, stops/starts can be carried out without fear of slipping or gripping and subsequent injuries. The shock absorption qualities of Taraflex® Performance also helps players gain even more enjoyment from sport.

With a complete range of shock absorption P1/P2/P3, Taraflex® sports floorings from Gerflor provide the right solution every time and optimal safety for users. The combination of D-Max™/D-Max™+, CXP™HD foam ensures that Taraflex® sports floorings are durable and high-performing. Taraflex® also meets the EN 14904 Standard which is the minimum performance requirements to be met by indoor sports floors.

Its objective is to draw attention to the necessity of installing safe, comfortable floors that reduce the risk of injuries. Taraflex® technology delivers long-lasting high-performance of the products for the lifetime of the floors…a massive boon when long-term planning and budgeting are perceived as being two key considerations for specifiers.

Taraflex® sports flooring has been fitted at every Olympic Games since 1976. Approved by many National and International governing bodies as a world class sports surface, it is also widely installed within the education, community, leisure, health, and fitness sectors. Taraflex® is ideal for new build projects and refurbishments and is extremely durable and cost effective to maintain.

Over 6 million children everyday enjoy the benefits of Taraflex® sports flooring as it delivers a versatile range that can be used for various multi-specialist applications. Taraflex® Performance is available in 17 colours and 3 wood-effect designs as standard with an addition of 110 solid colour options available. It offers a P2 category shock absorbency of 35% to 45% and is also treated with the Triple Action Protecsol® surface treatment so that no polish is ever required for the lifetime of the floor.

Tarasafe safety flooring overview Intended for traditional barefoot spaces where there are continuous wet areas, Tarasafe Ultra H20 also offers a shod solution, providing a perfect blend of flooring applications for those areas where wet flooring conditions can be an issue. Within Gerflor’s other top performing Tarasafe vinyl safety flooring range there are over 80 finishes available to choose from.

They are reinforced with a glass fibre grid and are suitable for use in all areas of heavy traffic where slip-resistance, durability and hygienic conditions are required. Using mineral crystal particles, rather than carborundum, Tarasafe, with its improved performance, is easier to install, lighter and more flexible to handle. The range has a maximum hygiene rating meeting the EN Standard 22196 for anti- bacterial activity (E. coli – S. aureus – MRSA) (3) returning >99% levels of growth inhibition and comes with a 12-year warranty and is also 100% recyclable.

The Tarasafe Standard range comes with the unique UV cured PUR surface treatment and their Tarasafe Ultra range (excluding their Tarasafe Ultra H20 offer) also sees a benefit from the SparClean® surface treatment, therefore no polish for life.

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 03332 412901, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School for boys (QEGS) and Wakefield Girl’s School, Wakefield are both something of academic legends.

As one of a family of three schools that make up the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation. At QEGS, ‘sport for all’ is a principle they live and breathe every day. At every level of sport at QEGS, pupils are encouraged to wear the crest and live the values and this philosophy has helped the school to develop an enviable reputation for sporting excellence, with individual and team successes ranging from county to national honours. Countless opportunities for sport exist both within and outside the curriculum and within QED for all ages, interests and abilities, forming an integral part of school life. All pupils can get involved either individually or as part of a team in Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Climbing, Cricket, Cross-Country, Fencing, Fitness Training, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Mountain Biking, Rugby, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volleyball.

Similarly, at Wakefield Girls High School (which is part of the same foundation) sport is deemed for everyone, whatever their standard. It’s about the joy of being part of a team, learning critical team working and leadership skills, developing courage and resilience, building an appreciation of fair play, developing a healthy, active lifestyle and giving everyone the freedom to discover and play their favourite sports. After all, the best sportspeople in the world never knew what they were good at, until they gave it a go.

So, it’s no wonder that specifying a sports floor for both schools that could deliver both outstanding performance, comfort and high levels of safety for all users regardless of their ages, and sporting ability would be top of their agenda.

Wayne Andrews, Gerflor Sports Manager North UK said, “I made contact with their Estates department the previous year and they initially required some repairs to the existing granwood floor, so I put them in touch with a local contractor and this issue was temporarily resolved. During this time, we built up a good working relationship and kept in touch.

The following year, it became apparent that a refurbishment was required and a new Olympic pedigree indoor sports surface would enhance the facility even further.

Kent Oliver Estates Manager at Queen Elizabeth Grammar Wakefield said, “We had an urgent need to refurbish our Boys’ and Girls’ tired granwood main sports hall flooring. We engaged with a number of Gerflor’s previous clients, who could not speak highly enough of the quality products installed and the fantastic levels of service provided by the Specification and Technical teams.”

On making the decision to specify Gerflor flooring, Kent Oliver went on to say, “We were in search of a surface that was ideal for a variety of sports. Offering a good level of shock absorption, minimising the force of impact on the body, and reducing long term injury risk. We are delighted with the final results. The surfaces are better performing than the granwood and offer a lot more protection than the previous flooring. Both floors installed are of the highest quality with a superior finish to them.”

On specification, Wayne Andrews also commented,” We proposed an Isolsport overlay with Taraflex Performance onto the existing granwood floor, this  provided a robust solution avoiding high labour costs that would be incurred from the uplifting of the existing granwood floor and also any sub floor preparation costs. The boys and girls sports halls are used by professional players for a wide variety of sports.”

The fitting of the new Gerflor sports floor would be undertaken by one of the country’s leading installers of sports floors. Stockport-based Recreational Coatings Limited has over 30 years’ experience of installing sports surfaces in various prestigious events some of which include the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World and European events throughout the UK and beyond.

Jed Hill, its Managing Director said, “with a strong reputation to uphold, the school entrusted our team here at Recreational Coatings Limited to overlay the existing granwood floor with a new, high-performance, cushioned surface.” Jed Hill added, “The school had taken the time to find out more about other local Taraflex® installations in other eeducation establishments. Gerflor’s Taraflex® Performance vinyl sports flooring ticked all the boxes for its sport and multi-use requirements. Taraflex® Performance vinyl sports flooring can be specified for a wide range of sporting applications and leisure activities. It has excellent safety, comfort and performance qualities, as well as being available in vibrant colours and realistic wood designs, thus it’s an ideal solution for a vast array of areas.”

Wayne Andrews concluded by saying, “The client is extremely pleased with the final installation. A number of Gerflor people were involved, right from the Specification Team through to high level management who all agreed how important and unique this project was. Kent Oliver, the Estates Manager at the school was very impressed with the service received from Gerflor. In addition to this the impact protection and playability of Taraflex was a big talking point for him.”

Kent Oliver ended by saying, “We would definitely specify Gerflor again. The performance and appearance has surpassed our expectations and we have received nothing but positive feedback from the schools, and other sports hall users. I would also like to add that Wayne Andrews from Gerflor was very knowledgeable and professional during our initial meetings and throughout the entire project.”

Product overview of Taraflex Performance

Taraflex® sports flooring has been fitted at every Olympic Games since 1976. Approved by many National and International governing bodies as a world class sports surface, it is also widely installed within the education, community, leisure, health, and fitness sectors. Taraflex® is ideal for new build projects and refurbishments and is extremely durable and cost effective to maintain.

Over six million children everyday enjoy the benefits of Taraflex® sports flooring as it delivers a versatile range that can be used for various multi-specialist applications.

Taraflex® Performance is available in 17 all over colours and 3 wood-effect designs as standard, with an addition of 110 solid colour options available. It offers a P2 category shock absorbency of 35% to 45%. Taraflex® Evolution is also available in 20 designs as standard and it offers a P1 category shock absorbency of >25%.

Both indoor sports surfaces are treated with the Triple Action Protecsol® surface treatment so that no polish is ever required for the lifetime of the floor.

Taraflex® is a sustainable solution thanks to its unique product construction:

• Indoor air quality – Meeting ISO 16000 standards, it has some of the lowest VOC emissions on the market.
• Energy saving – A colour selection with high light reflectance values assists with lighting energy saving
• Reduced maintenance costs – the Protecsol® surface treatment is the most durable on the market. It ensures minimal maintenance and exceptional sustainability of the product
• Proactive post manufacturing waste management – Use of recycled content in product design and the PVC is also 100% recyclable.
• A second life programme for post installation waste – Re-use of post installation waste and redundant materials
• Selected and responsible raw materials – NO heavy metal, NO solvent, NO formaldehyde, NO substance potentially subject to REACH* restrictions

*REACH is the European regulation on registering, assessing and authorising chemical products within the European Union.

Isolsport is a vinyl isolating membrane, specially designed for sport environments. Its design enables loose laying on sensitive subfloors (risks of humidity, coated) when it is associated with a Taraflex sports floor. The raised effect allows humidity to circulate.

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 03332 412901, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.

Steve Wilson, Gerflor Specification Manager, South Central said,” The project came about with the flooring contractor Folkspur Flooring who we have a trusted and credible relationship with. They are ‘term contractors,’ who Immediately proposed the Taraflex Performance sports flooring to stakeholders at Beaconsfield High School.”

Established in 1983 in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Folkspur Flooring have gained a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the flooring industry. Folkspur Flooring offer many different types of flooring, supplying, and installing flooring in both commercial and domestic settings.

Chris Stopp, Contracts Manager, Folkspur Flooring Ltd, commented, “We have carried out all types of flooring works at Beaconsfield High School. This has included   repairing the existing sports floor that was in place, as well as refurbishing many other areas across the facility. Based on our credibility to specify the right solution for the required application and also being able to deliver on time and to budget, our business has built up an excellent relationship with the school.”

On specification Chris Stopp went on to further comment, “We have extensive experience of installing Gerflor products, we know that the quality of their flooring coverings   is exceptional and speak for themselves. We constantly receive positive feedback from our clients, in particular, when it comes down to the longevity, durability, and performance of Gerflor products. We have also installed over the years, many Taraflex indoor sports surfaces and we believe it to be the best on the market.”

Taraflex® Performance is a synthetic indoor sports flooring that can be specified for a wide range of sports applications, in a variety of sectors. It delivers optimal safety, comfort, and performance for users, as well as being available in an extensive choice of vibrant designs, making it the ideal choice for a host of locations. Taraflex® Performance is perfectly suited for a variety of applications, including most sporting and leisure activities, and is also a popular choice for sports halls in education and leisure buildings, as well as the go to preferred option for many prestigious elite and elite sporting events. In fact, Taraflex® sports flooring has been fitted at every Olympic Games since 1976 and is approved by many National and International governing bodies as a world class sports surface.

Taraflex® Performance easily meets the rigorous demands of a vast array of sports activities, it provides excellent co-efficient of friction, this means twists, turns, stops/starts can be carried out without the fear of slipping or gripping and subsequent injuries from physical activity. The shock absorption qualities of Taraflex® Performance, also helps players gain even more enjoyment from sport. It offers a P2 category shock absorbency of 35% to 45%. Taraflex® Performance is available in 17 colours and 3 wood-effect designs as standard, with an addition of 110 solid colour options available.

Over 6 million pupils everyday enjoy the benefits of Taraflex® sports flooring as it delivers a versatile range that can be used for various multi-specialist applications. Taraflex® is ideal for new build projects and refurbishments and is extremely durable and cost effective to maintain. The Triple Action Protecsol® surface treatment ensures that no polish is ever required for the lifetime of the floor, it also saves on both water and energy consumption, as part of a cleaning and maintenance regime, excellent news for the planet and future generations. Taraflex® is manufactured with a minimum of 30% recycled vinyl content and is also 100% recyclable.

Taraflex® meets the EN 14904 Standard, which is the minimum performance requirements to be met by indoor sports floors. Its objective is to draw attention to the necessity of installing safe and comfortable floors that will reduce the risk of injuries. With a complete range of outstanding sports surfaces that can meet specification requirements for compliance with P1/P2/P3 shock absorption Taraflex® sports floorings are perfect for delivering optimal safety and protection for users, regardless of their age and sporting ability.

The combination of D-Max™/D-Max™+, CXP™HD foam, ensures that Taraflex® sports floorings are durable, high-performing and stand the test of time. The exclusive Taraflex® technology ensures that the sports floors are longer-lasting …a massive boon, when long-term planning and budgeting are perceived as being two key considerations for specifiers.

On fitting and timescales Chris Stopp said,” We had to uplift the old worn-out sports floor, which wasn’t a Gerflor product, and we then had to also remove the metal panelling. Damp issues were found underneath, so we had to carry out subfloor works in order to prepare the floor to the requirements specified by Gerflor, so that we could then overlay the Taraflex® sports surface. Biddle Sports assisted with the project as another key player who managed the court markings and school logo.

Chris Stopp added, “The work was conducted over the five- week summer holiday period using three of our highly skilled fitters, together with other flooring projects being conducted within the school at the same time. The client is delighted with the finished results, thanks to Gerflor for their support with the project and the world-renowned sports surface.

Chris Stopp also commented, “Gerflor’s Taraflex sports flooring has really met and surpassed our expectations. The school and sports hall users have passed on outstanding feedback about the final look and feel of the floor. We would definitely specify Taraflex® again, as it’s always our ‘go to’ sports flooring product of choice.”

Chris Stopp concluded, “we are absolutely delighted with the outcome and the look of the Taraflex floor from Gerflor.”

Steve Wilson ended by saying, “Beaconsfield High School are extremely delighted with the outcome of the sport floor refurbishment. The finish is striking and the Taraflex cushioned sports floor is delivering consistent comfort, safety, and performance on a daily basis for all pupils, students, and teaching staff.”

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 03332 412901, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.