Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties business has commenced work on the first fully net zero carbon school in Hertfordshire
Construction has started on a fully net zero carbon school in Hertfordshire, the first of its kind in the county.
The Buntingford First School, which is being funded by Hertfordshire County Council and built by Morgan Sindall, will open for September 2023 and will be operated by the Scholars Education Trust.
The new 330-pupil school, which has ten classrooms and incorporates a nursery, will be built on the former Sainsbury’s depot site, adjoining the Bury Football Club who will share the site with the new School.
When complete, it will provide additional school places for Buntingford and its new communities.
The development will include solar panels and air-source heat pumps
In line with Hertfordshire County Council’s sustainability strategy and ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030, this school will be built and operate at net zero carbon.
This will be achieved by using a Passivhaus design to improve the building’s air quality, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy running costs.
As part of the highly sustainable project, over 300 solar panels, triple-glazing windows and air-source heat pumps will be installed.
All the teaching spaces in the school will face north, avoiding south-facing windows that cause rooms to overheat, while social areas such as the school dining halls and common rooms will face south.
The new school will also include a rooftop outdoor classroom, play areas and a “forest school”.
The fully net zero carbon school will help educate children about climate change
Matt Gauthier, executive headteacher at Buntingford First School said: “We are excited to be opening a new first school and nursery, providing a first class education for the children of Buntingford. We will ensure the children are happy, active learners, developing their curiosity and resilience.
“The carbon net zero element of our school will permeate through the curriculum, ensuring that the children are well informed and knowledgeable of the issues surrounding climate change, and inspire them to believe that they can make a difference.”
David Rowsell, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Northern Home Counties area director, said: “We are proud to commence work at the first net-zero school in Hertfordshire, which hopefully will be the first of many.
“By ensuring Buntingford School is carbon-neutral, we are not only futureproofing the site for generations of students, but we are also ensuring that our region plays an active role in combatting the climate crisis.”
Hertfordshire is committed to being a carbon-neutral council by 2030
Cllr Terry Douris, executive member for education at Hertfordshire County Council said:
“We want every child to have the best possible start in life, and the much-needed new Buntingford First School will ensure that all children in the area have a place at a good local school as the town grows.
“We’re committed to being a carbon-neutral council by 2030, and by prioritising sustainability and making the new school net-zero we’re taking a big step towards building a cleaner, greener and healthier Hertfordshire.”
