St Michael’s School, Ormskirk

VentxLabs delivered a complete science lab fitout at St Michael’s School in Ormskirk, transforming an ageing classroom into a modern, compliant laboratory for 32 pupils. The brief combined safety, supervision and ease of use with a welcoming environment that supports practical lessons and helps pupils feel confident with apparatus handling. Early laboratory design workshops mapped the room’s constraints, the teacher’s preferred circulation pattern and the required clearances for services and storage. The final layout improves sightlines from the teacher position, shortens travel distances between sinks and benches and keeps higher-risk activities within easy observation.

A mobile filtration unit provides localised capture for demonstrations that would traditionally rely on fixed plant, while the building services and envelope are prepared to accept conventional fume cupboards if the curriculum expands. The scheme aligns with the school timetable to limit disruption to teaching spaces and establishes a durable platform the facilities team can maintain without specialist support. The project sits alongside other education projects in the VentxLabs portfolio, giving the client confidence that the same team can advise on future upgrades as needs evolve.

The original classroom was not purpose-built for science, which created pinch points in circulation and limited teacher sightlines across a full class. Legacy services constrained the positioning of benches, sinks and gas points, and the lighting scheme lacked uniformity over work areas. The school requested a compliant local-exhaust approach that avoided the cost and programme impact of long duct runs while staying within a defined budget. The programme had to be delivered within a holiday window, with safeguarding, noise and access managed carefully so adjacent rooms and corridors were not affected. The school also wanted a finish that would look bright and contemporary, clean easily between lessons and stand up to frequent chair and trolley movements. Each constraint influenced the laboratory design, from bench spacing and teacher positioning to the routing of services, the selection of finishes and the commissioning plan.

VentxLabs began with a measured survey and a services audit to understand loads, pipe and cable routes and existing isolation points. A room model was developed to test the proposed arrangement of pupil benches, teacher station and storage, using real desk and stool dimensions to confirm that movement remains safe even when bags and coats are present. The specification focused on durability and hygiene. Chemical-resistant laboratory worktops were selected for fast sanitation and spill control, while flooring with a resilient wear layer provides slip resistance and reduces glare under bright task lighting. M&E upgrades introduced dedicated circuits with clear labelling, local isolation for sinks and service spines, and a distribution strategy that leaves accessible capacity for future additions.

To support different lesson formats, a section of the plan uses height-matched laboratory tables so equipment demonstrations can move from the front of the room to group stations without re-arranging furniture. Storage volume was increased with a combination of base units and tall cupboards, with shallow shelves for frequently used consumables and deeper compartments for bulk items. The team coordinated installation around a tight programme, sequencing noisy works early and completing test, clean and inspection steps before handover. The emphasis throughout remained on practical laboratory design that balances safety, comfort and teaching efficiency while presenting bright, durable interiors that are simple to maintain

The completed laboratory fitout comprises full strip-out, re-decoration and a high-uniformity lighting plan that improves visibility at each workstation. Mechanical and electrical services are renewed across the room, with valves, isolators and distribution boards placed for both safety and easy maintenance. Data outlets and power are positioned to support teaching technology without trailing leads, and ceiling services are coordinated to minimise visual clutter while maintaining access for inspections. Benching and storage are installed to manufacturer clearances, with integrated service spines for gas, power and water where required. The mobile filtration unit is commissioned with appropriate media and validated face velocity, enabling safe demonstrations without fixed ductwork; the fabric and services are prepared so conventional fume cupboards can be added later without major rework. The overall result is a safe, efficient and adaptable classroom laboratory that enhances practical demonstrations, improves supervision and reduces long-term maintenance risk.

The configuration is designed to reset quickly between double periods. Teacher controls and emergency isolation are within clear reach at the front of the class, and the lighting scheme balances vertical illuminance for the whiteboard with low glare at the benches. Acoustic comfort is considered so plant and equipment do not distract pupils during explanations. The finishes palette supports photography and display, helping the school share outcomes from practical work and small-group research tasks. Where additional storage was needed, tall units were detailed to keep frequently accessed items at safe heights. Seating and stool choices focus on stability and easy cleaning. The completed environment presents as bright, calm and professional, emphasising a clear step change from the original classroom and providing flexible spaces that can accommodate different teaching styles through the year.

From a lifecycle perspective, the project avoids bespoke items that would create long lead dependencies. Consumable parts and wear items can be sourced readily, and the services layout accepts future add-ons without dismantling large sections of the finished room. This aligns with the school’s budget planning and ensures that the same laboratory can accept new equipment as the curriculum changes. VentxLabs packages its solutions so the caretaking team has clear documentation for routine checks, filter changes and emergency procedures. The handover process includes a short briefing for teaching staff on safe operation and room reset, which keeps lessons running smoothly and reduces the need for external callouts.

The school gains a modern lab that supports enquiry-based learning, clean transitions between theory and practice and straightforward control over equipment and utilities. Practical exercises run with improved supervision, and pupils can focus on outcomes rather than the logistics of finding tools and materials. The scheme contributes to a consistent identity across education projects, and the space is prepared for future enhancements such as additional AV, data points or specialist storage. As a platform for ongoing improvement, it allows leadership to plan incremental investments rather than wholesale change, ensuring teaching spaces remain functional and engaging over time.