A £2.5 million refurbishment project at a secondary school is set to start today (Monday).

The major window and roof replacement works at The Barclay School in Stevenage are set to transform the Grade II-listed building into an energy efficient premises.

The works, supported by Hertfordshire County Council, are expected to be completed by the end of August.

A team from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service joined Year 9 science students at the school to investigate heat lost through the old, rusting, single glazed windows and a roof without insulation.

Firefighters demonstrated how their thermal imaging camera works before setting students off around the building on their own investigations.

Firefighters use thermography to see through smoke, find people and localise the source of a fire. Students were able to quickly locate a group of students in the pitch black of the drama studio.

Headteacher Debbie Upton said: “I am delighted we have been able to work closely with Hertfordshire County Council over the last 18 months to secure this major overhaul of our Grade II-listed building. This will transform the appearance of the school throughout and improve the comfort for students and staff throughout the year.

“It will support the fantastic success we have had over the last two years and we would like to thank the council for its support and interest in our educational transformation programme.”

The fire service will revisit the school in the autumn term so the science students can see the difference the project makes to the school’s energy efficiency.