Worth School - Kitchen Refurbishment - Emergency Reinstatement Works Post-Fire

Worth School is a private co-educational day and boarding school, located within the grounds of Worth Abbey in rural West Sussex. Following the delivery of a £1.9m new-build science extension earlier in 2025, the school directly appointed Baxall to refurbish and reinstate its entire kitchen zone after a significant fire.
Early-stage engagement allowed works to commence while surveys and investigations were ongoing, ensuring the client could rapidly understand the extent of the damage and associated costs. We worked closely with the client’s project managers to refine the scope before being formally instructed to deliver the full refurbishment (elements of which were undertaken within a live/operational school environment).

Scope of Works and Phasing
We split the initial works into phases to robustly manage risk and maintain progress while surveys were undertaken. Early phases included the installation of temporary propping and the phased strip-out of the existing kitchen, including floors and residual finishes. The main construction works comprised a full structural clean to remove all soot contamination, followed by the use of ozone machines to eradicate smoke odour. We implemented fire protection upgrades throughout, including fire boarding to ceilings and selected walls. Ply linings were installed to walls to achieve a high-quality flat finish and provide allowance for future pattressing. We replaced all mechanical and electrical services including the installation of a new mains electrical supply to the main building. A series of carefully sequenced switch-overs were undertaken to keep the entire school operational. These were completed while the school remained live (and while one of the monks was receiving palliative care within an affected area, requiring an exceptional level of planning, coordination and sensitivity). The project culminated in the installation of suspended ceilings, a full high-specification commercial kitchen fit-out, a new bakery and associated changing facilities. The state-of-the-art completed kitchen is designed to support large-scale catering operations within the school.

Access and Site Logistics
Access arrangements were favourable, with the site compound located directly outside the kitchen entrance. At the school’s request, we fitted Heras fencing with monoflex covers displaying the school’s branding. This was accommodated following an in-house temporary works design, ensuring stability and safety in adverse weather conditions.

Value Engineering
Given the initial information from the client’s project manager was a high-level outline of the employer’s requirements, there was flexibility to explore value engineering around material availability. The only exclusion was the specialist kitchen equipment, which the school procured directly following early engagement with a kitchen supplier and installer.

Sustainability Measures
We installed photovoltaic (PV) panels as part of the project, contributing to improved energy efficiency and supporting the school’s sustainability objectives.

Challenges and Solutions
The project’s tight programme combined with unknowns within the existing building posed challenges. Following the discovery of asbestos, we implemented prompt control and remediation measures to minimise impact on programme and cost. Fire protection presented one of the most technically complex elements of the project; however, proactive coordination ensured we delivered fully compliant, tested and certified fire solutions. The team effectively managed the challenge of accommodating multiple door types and closers across varying openings, ensuring seamless integration within a dynamic environment while maintaining full compliance with fire safety regulations. From start to finish, we maintained close collaboration with all stakeholders via regular daily/weekly meetings with the school, adjusted to suit site activities and critical operations.

Programme, Cost and Quality Outcomes
Baxall handed over Worth School’s reinstated kitchen zone on time, to budget and defect-free. The restored catering facilities provide a high-quality, resilient, compliant and future-proofed kitchen along with food preparation, bakery and storage areas.