Erection of the main structure for Failsworth School is now complete, as too the erection of The Street roof steelwork. This supports the ETFE roof which will make The Street such a feature of the school complex. The photographs illustrate just how impressive the school has become.

Chemistry teachers at the school will know that ETFE stands for ethyl tetra fluoro ethylene, a non-stick, transparent, self-cleaning fabric that is a better insulator than glass but weighs just a tenth as much. It can be formed into either single skin panels or a cushion system. The single ply format is utilised in the case of Failsworth. The ETFE Foil material is stretched into aluminium frames, covering a sizeable 1300 sq. m., and offers a striking central focal point for the building, letting in high levels of natural light and reducing loads imposed on the steelwork and support structure. Supply and fixing of these frames was carried out by specialist company Architen Landrell.

EFTE’s life-span is said to be 25 years, after which it can be replaced in a process that promises to be much easier than conventional re-roofing.

A fine structure for this centre of learning.