Benx × Innovaré | Education Sector Case Study
Co‑op Academy Florence MacWilliams is a new state secondary school serving the Meir area of Stoke‑on‑Trent. Developed as part of a phased growth strategy, the school opened initially to Year 7 pupils in September 2024 before moving into a purpose‑built, three‑storey facility in September 2025. Once complete, the academy will accommodate up to 1,150 students aged 11–19 by 2030.
The Challenge: Delivering Safe, Efficient and Future‑Ready Schools
Education projects delivered under Department for Education frameworks must balance multiple priorities: rapid delivery, long‑term safety, energy efficiency, regulatory compliance and whole‑life value. At Co‑op Academy Florence MacWilliams, they required a building envelope solution that would:
- Meet stringent fire safety requirements
- Support energy efficiency and airtightness targets
- Deliver long‑term durability with low maintenance
- Be compatible with modern methods of construction (MMC)
- Provide certainty of programme and quality
Benx’s Role: Façade Performance, Safety and Longevity
Benx worked closely with the project team to supply Swisspearl fibre cement façade panels as part of the external envelope strategy for the new school.
Swisspearl was selected for its combination of fire performance, durability and low‑maintenance characteristics, making it particularly well‑suited to the demands of the education sector. The panels contribute to a robust, non‑combustible façade solution designed to support long‑term building safety while maintaining a high‑quality architectural appearance.
By integrating Swisspearl into the wider building envelope design, Benx helped ensure the façade delivered both technical performance and visual consistency, supporting the creation of a welcoming and resilient learning environment.
Collaborative Delivery
To support programme certainty and quality control, Benx collaborated with offsite construction specialist Innovaré, whose i‑FAST panelised system was used to form the building’s structural wrap.
This partnership enabled façade materials to be effectively integrated within a factory‑controlled manufacturing process, reducing on‑site risk and improving consistency across the building envelope.
Innovaré: “Innovaré’s Low Carbon Fire Safe i‑FAST offsite panelised system has been used to create a Low Risk Rapid Build wrap solution delivering a fast, efficient, and sustainable building envelope with excellent airtightness, high‑level U‑values, and minimal thermal bridging.”
Innovaré: “The i‑FAST panels come with factory‑fitted windows and exterior cladding, which ensures consistent quality and accelerates the creation of weather‑tight structures.”
The combination of Innovaré’s offsite system and Benx’s façade expertise supported a streamlined construction process while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality and long‑term performance.
Outcomes for the Education Sector
The collaborative approach adopted at Co‑op Academy Florence MacWilliams delivered clear benefits aligned with Department for Education and contractor priorities:
- Strong energy performance via a high‑quality, airtight building envelope
- Reduced programme risk through offsite manufacture and early coordination
- Durable, low‑maintenance façades supporting whole‑life value
- A modern, welcoming school environment designed for future growth
Innovaré: “This advanced level of pre‑manufacture reduces on‑site risks and variability while improving air tightness and overall building performance, delivering both efficiency and consistency across the build process.”
Building Better Schools Through Partnership
Co‑op Academy Florence MacWilliams demonstrates how early collaboration between façade specialists and offsite construction partners can deliver repeatable, compliant and high‑performing school buildings.
Benx and Innovaré continue to work together across education projects nationwide, combining façade expertise with modern methods of construction to help deliver safe, energy‑efficient schools that meet the evolving needs of pupils, staff and communities.