What is the Water21 Project?

The Project is to replace the hot and cold water system in the oldest part of the school. This is a significant project: preparatory works have already begun and it will take the whole Summer holidays to complete. It involves:

• completing all statutory Health & Safety checks (as the pipework is in the roof) 

• installing new pipework throughout the oldest part of the school 

• providing  and fitting new water heaters in key places around the school 

• installing new mixing valves to ensure children cannot get scolded, but water is hot enough for adults.

Why is it needed?

St Francis School has been supporting children in the Caterham area for approximately 140 years. A change of site and many developments have taken place in that time, with recent years seeing the expansion of the school. However, some of the older parts of the building have pipework that is decades old and needs replacing. We want to ensure that every child at the school has safe access to warm water for handwashing that cannot scold them, as well as cold, fresh drinking water. There are no immediate health and safety concerns, but all the handwashing in response to COVID has highlighted the shortfalls of the current system. Replacing the hot and cold water system in the oldest part of the school will ensure reliable and safe water for years to come and is essential from a health and safety perspective. 

Why do we need to fundraise?

Works are planned for Summer 2021 and we have been awarded a grant from the Government and Diocese to cover 90% of the costs. As a voluntary aided school, all capital works is part-funded by voluntary contributions. Generosity from the St Francis' community has enabled many school improvements and developments to take place. These include refurbishing the infant toilets, new interactive whiteboards, the infant playground re-surfacing and drainage, new canopies for YR and Y1 to allow outdoor learning all year round and the complete refurbishment of the Acorns classroom (next to Treetops). Although the impact of the Water21 Project will not be as visible as these, all current and future St Francis' children will benefit from it.

How can you help?

Please support this project in whatever way you can: make a donation, organise your own fundraising event, or share this page with friends and family to help us reach our target.