St Peter & St Paul CE Academy with Profiles

Overcoming the challenges of a unique roof, with a tried and tested solution.
St Peter & St Paul CE Academy Hero Image

The Project

Based in Leicestershire, St Peter and St Paul CE Academy’s roof was in desperate need of repair. But with a distinctive style – one of only a handful of its type – coupled with harsh winter weather and an open, functioning school environment, refurbishing this roof would be far from an easy task. Plus, with the project funded by the Department for Education (DfE), keeping to budget would be paramount.  


Location: Leicestershire 

Client: St Peter and St Paul CE Academy 

Contractors: NRA Roofing

System: Profiles XL Fire Smart

The Challenge

The Challenge

To have the resources to repair the roof, the school needed to submit a bid to the DfE. BMI Icopal was brought in to help specifiers YMD Boon find a solution that could provide the school with a roof that was made to last, while also providing the evidence the DfE needed to justify and realise its budget. 


Gaining the funds to start work was only the first of many challenges. The school has two semi-circular buildings and a central circular block, all of which had a sloping saw-tooth roof design with a pitch greater than 10°. To ensure a quality finish, the installation needed to be well thought out, from start to completion.

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The Solution

The Solution

To ensure the overall success of the project, there needed to be real collaboration between BMI, YMD Boon and IMA approved contractors NRA Roofing to ensure that the roof was installed to a high standard and would provide quality without compromise for the school. That’s why Profiles XL FireSmart was specified. 

As the UK’s premier, tried-and-tested bitumen roofing solution, backed by industry leading technical support, it’s perfectly suited to the conditions and challenges of this country – and it is backed by a 25-year guarantee. With Icopal, YMD Boon and NRA Roofing utilised a suite of Icopal technical support services including our bespoke CAD service, diagnostic surveys,condition reporting, specification and design advice. 

Additionally, the team would make use of Icopal’s Thermazone insulation solution to increase the thermal performance of the school’s buildings. This in turn would reduce long-term energy costs for the client while enhancing the teaching and learning experience for students and staff. 

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The Impact

The Impact

Working on St Peter and St Paul’s roof was anything but straightforward. A combination of a unique installation, a site that was difficult to access, and the challenges of winter weather meant everyone involved needed to work closely together. 

Icopal partnered with NRA and the client to develop a system specification that minimised the risk of slippage, utilising mechanical restraints, to overcome the challenges presented on site by the complex profile of the roof and the winter weather conditions.

The Icopal Technical Services team and YMD Boon visited the site every week to offer support and guidance,this helped ensure compliance with the specification, and a high standard of installation. 

James Fletcher, Director at NRA Roofing and Flooring, said “The pitch on this roof meant that it was quite a labour-intensive project for everyone. Although the saw-tooth pattern is unique amongst roofs, we found a pattern to the work and have now completed the project to a high standard, despite some difficult conditions. This project was a real partnership between all parties involved. We knew going in that the roof would have its own challenges, so we really valued the input from the technical team at BMI to ensure the system was installed successfully.”

St Peter and St Paul CE Academy now has a watertight roof, with a quality installation and a finish that is second to none. This project has contributed to improving the overall learning environment for the teachers and children. Plus, from an environmental and economical perspective, the new roof and insulation will increase the thermal value of the school and reduce energy costs – which is more important now than ever. 

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In focus: Profiles

In focus: Profiles

A BMI Icopal Profiles system is part of a range of torch-on roofing membranes designed to deliver high quality waterproofing systems for  new or refurbished flat roof projects, while also ensuring exceptional, proven performance. With a unique groove system, technically advanced, low heat-reactive bitumen, and exceptional bond strength, Profiles offers uncompromising quality on every flat roof.

It is also backed by expert support and evidence-based insight, from diagnostic technology, to support with specification and evidence based recommendations. To ensure a quality finish every time, Profiles is exclusively installed by IMA Contractors with pride and care. 

In focus: Profiles Image