Hardie® Panel: Royal Greenwich Trust School
Remediation at a key educational hub in the Charlton Riverside area of London
Project at a glance
A2 fire-rated fibre cement and fully compliant with modern building regulations to guarantee long-term safety.
Pre-cut to site and fixed onto a new aluminium rail system, reducing on-site labour and significantly accelerating the programme.
Providing a sustainable, low-maintenance solution that will reduce the school’s long-term maintenance and lifecycle costs.
A partner in facades
The school's facade required urgent attention and in 2024, Express Group Ltd was contracted to remove the existing cladding. Upon closer inspection, the team identified significant installation flaws, including an incorrectly installed subframe and non-compliant cladding, necessitating a complete and rapid remediation of the building.
To meet the combined demands of safety, speed, and value, Express Group Ltd specified Hardie® Panel, the high-performance A2 fire-rated fibre cement façade board from James Hardie. Hardie® Panel was chosen for its durability, affordability, and sustainability, making it ideally suited to education environments. The façade design featured three complementary colours, accented by bold Bright Pink coving and flashings, delivering a distinctive and vibrant appearance.
To streamline installation, the majority of panels were delivered pre-cut to site and fixed onto a new aluminium rail system, reducing on-site labour and significantly accelerating the programme.
From deterioration to durability
Thanks to the collaborative effort between James Hardie and Express Group Ltd, the Royal Greenwich Trust School remediation was a resounding success and the project was completed on budget and ahead of schedule.
The new facade is fully compliant with fire safety and building regulations, providing the school with a robust, durable, and low-maintenance exterior for years to come.
Crucially, by prioritising proactive communication and controlled access points, the entire project was delivered with minimal disruption, ensuring full student access throughout the construction period.
Working with James Hardie on the Royal Greenwich Trust School project was a seamless experience from start to finish. Hardie® Panel proved to be the perfect solution for what was a challenging remediation, meeting strict fire safety requirements while allowing us to stay on a fast-track schedule. The pre-cut panels and hands-on technical support from the James Hardie team made a huge difference. They were always available with quick, practical solutions that kept the project on track.
Steve Barrett
Director at Express Group Ltd
School remediation done right
Hardie® Panel proved to be around 50% more cost-effective than comparable alternatives, providing a sustainable, low-maintenance solution that will reduce the school’s long-term maintenance and lifecycle costs.
Touch it. Trust it. Build with it.
Order a free sample to experience the texture, tone, and quality that sets Hardie® Panel apart from the rest. See how it feels in your hand — and how it fits in your vision.