Power and Data Upgrades for Office and Pastoral Room Remodelling at Thriftwood School, Chelmsford

The Challenge

The two rooms needed different solutions, but shared one aim: reliable power and data to support modern ways of working.

Head Teacher’s Office

The office needed more power outlets and better cable management to create a tidier, more professional working space. The school wanted to avoid the redecoration that removing the existing containment would have caused.

Pastoral Room

The remodelling plan removed an internal wall and added a central island table for collaborative work. The room already had power, but there was no network connection at the new island position. The solution had to deliver both power and data to the middle of the room, safely and discreetly.

The Solution

After a site survey and consultation with the school, a combined programme of electrical and structured cabling work was carried out.

Head Teacher’s Office

A new three-compartment dado trunking system was installed in an L-shape in the corner of the room. The work included:

• Supply and installation of three-compartment dado trunking
• Relocation of the existing data cabling into the new trunking
• Retention of the existing containment routes, so wall finishes were not disturbed and no redecoration was needed
• Extension of the existing socket circuit
• Three new twin 13A power sockets within the trunking
• Power and data kept in separate compartments for a neat, compliant installation

Pastoral Room

Power and data were brought to the centre of the room with a combined power and data service pole. The work included:

• Supply of the combined service pole
• Four new Category 6 data cables, installed and terminated from the existing communications infrastructure
• Four new Cat6 data outlets for network-connected devices
• Power connected from the existing electrical supply
• Labelling of all outlets for future maintenance

Testing and Certification

All new Category 6 data cabling was tested, certified and commissioned, and every outlet was labelled for future management.

The Results

• Better power and data in two key rooms: both spaces now have the connections they need for modern working.
• A tidier office: the new dado trunking organises cabling and gives easier access to sockets.
• No redecoration costs: keeping the existing containment left wall finishes untouched.
• Network at the island table: four new Cat6 outlets support collaborative working in the Pastoral Room.
• No intrusive cable routes: the service pole delivers power and data to the centre of the room cleanly.
• Ready to adapt: the infrastructure can support future changes to how the rooms are laid out.

Outcome

The Head Teacher’s office now has a clean, professional finish with easier access to power and data, and the school avoided unnecessary decoration costs.

The remodelled Pastoral Room has power and network connections at its new island table, helping it work as part of the school’s pastoral support space. See how we approach refurbishment cabling and our wider work in education.