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Richard Hale School with Rosemary Craftsman

BMI Redland’s Craftsman Victorian preserves school’s period aesthetic

Founded as a grammar school in 1617, Richard Hale School in Hertford is a boys’ secondary school with academy status, with more than 1,000 pupils, including its co-educational sixth form.

When the 80-year-old school roof needed replacing, it was imperative that new clay tiles matched the existing in appearance. BMI Redland’s Rosemary Clay Craftsman in Victorian was the obvious choice. The massive job of replacing 165,000 tiles went to the Breyer Group, which also installed new gutters and fascias.

Product: BMI Redland Rosemary Craftsman
Client: Richard Hale School
Contractor: Breyer Group

Testimonials

Pressing Job

“The roof was beginning to fail in several places and it was very difficult to maintain because the pitches are so steep.”

“It was a pressing job because there are three things that can close a school if they fail: the windows, the boiler and the roof!”

Matt Botheras, Business Manager at Richard Hale School

The Contractor

“BMI Redland supported us all the way along, ensuring that we had a steady supply of materials and advising on accessories such as vents.”

“We’ve got a long standing relationship with them, and have always enjoyed very good technical support.”

Tom Titler, Breyer Group Roofing Division

The Challenge

The main issue working at the school was the difficulty accessing the various roofs. Working within the school term time meant that work was carried out whilst lessons and exams took place - so noise had to be taken into consideration.

The Hip and Valley were very close together which meant a change to the specification as bonnets could no longer be used. A dry hip system was therefore recommended to overcome the problem.

The school is situated in a conservation area, opposite the local authority’s planning department, so extra attention to detail was needed.

The Solution

Rosemary clay tiles are an intrinsic element of Britain’s vernacular architectural style. The Rosemary Clay Craftsman tiles are created on a bespoke production line so that they may look as if they were made in the 19th century but perform with all the attributes and strength of a 21st century tile.

With all the attributes and strength of a brand new tile, and manufactured to BMI Redland’s highest standard, you can put your trust in Rosemary Clay Craftsman to create a roof of outstanding handcrafted character that lasts.

Subtle texturing to the surface and edges, random distortion of the leading edge and a hanging length that varies from tile to tile, all combine to accurately replicate the look of traditional handcrafted old clay tiles.

Rosemary Clay Craftsman System

A roof with random textured surfaces, irregular front edge distortion and varying hanging lengths combine to give Rosemary Clay Craftsman the look of traditional handmade clay tiles

A system designed for mono or duo pitched roofs, using Rosemary Clay Craftsman tiles that is ideal for any new or refurbishment situation. The Rosemary Clay Craftsman tile provides a practical, durable and cost effective roofing solution for years to come.

Key features and benefits