Older facilities often hide inefficiencies – LED upgrades can dramatically improve usability and aesthetics.
Mark Hall Sports Centre is part of Mark Hall Academy in Harlow, under the BMAT Trust. It’s a vital hub for both the school’s PE provision and the local community, hosting lettings for clubs and activities including netball, football, and fitness classes.
The main school building underwent a rebuild in 2020, however, the sports centre, originally built in 2001,
wasn’t part of that redevelopment project and so this meant the sports centre’s lighting was outdated and not
LED. This was making spaces feel dull and inefficient. With long opening hours (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily)
and heavy usage for school and community activities, upgrading the lighting was essential. The project also
needed to meet specific lux level requirements for competitive sports, adding complexity to the design and installation.
BMAT came to us after a successful project at Little Parndon Primary. We worked closely with Clare
Tyler, Director of Estates at BMAT, and our in-house experts managed the whole process, from survey to procurement and installation, making sure everything was compliant with under our DfE-approved framework and BMAT’s financial regulations.
When the survey took place, it was revealed that external lighting would require additional work due to Sports England specifications, so we split the project into two phases. The internal upgrade was prioritised and completed in summer, with external areas scheduled for a later phase.
We appointed a trusted contractor through our LED Lighting Framework to install the new lighting across
internal areas, this included the sports hall, corridors, and the multi-use gym with special attention was given
to lux levels in the sports hall to meet competition standards. As a busy space it meant that the installation had to be carefully planned around the centre’s extended operating hours to minimise disruption to its
school base and community.
259 fittings replaced
Estimated £4,182 saved per annum
The transformation was striking. Corridors and gym areas are now brighter and more welcoming, improving the experience for both students and community members. The sports hall initially felt “too bright” compared to the old lighting, which was a clear sign of the dramatic improvement. The feedback to the upgrade has been positive, and has even prompted plans for further improvements, like refreshing paintwork to match the new, vibrantly lit environment.
For BMAT, the biggest benefit was time saved: we took care of the complex procurement, compliance and installation making the process smooth and stress-free.
Older facilities often hide inefficiencies – LED upgrades can dramatically improve usability and aesthetics.
Sports facilities may require specific lux levels for competitions, factor this into planning.
Using a DfE-approved framework simplifies procurement and reassures boards and finance teams.
We can also advise on flexible options like leasing, helping schools manage budgets effectively.
Reach out to our dedicated Education team, who are on hand to help you with your LED lighting project – educationteam@laserenergy.org.uk
Read how we helped create a better
space for sport and community at Mark Hall Sports Centre.
Read how we helped BMAT school, Little Parndon Primary Academy, transform their outdated LED lighting into a bright, welcoming space.
On September 23rd, a team from Total Energies who work on the LASER portfolio from Servicing, Sales Operations and Strategic Sales took part in a volunteering day, learning about the park and supporting their restoration efforts.