Kier has been appointed by North Somerset Council and the Cabot Learning Federation to deliver a new £30.5m sustainable expansion for Winterstoke Hundred Academy in Weston-Super-Mare
The new net-zero school building, funded by Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, will be an expansion of the Winterstoke Hundred Academy and will provide 900 new pupil places when complete.
The building was procured through the Southern Construction Framework, and supports the North Somerset Council’s commitment to make North Somerset carbon neutral by 2030.
The three-storey building has been designed to achieve net zero carbon in operation, a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating and have a 10% biodiversity net gain.
The new school facilities are expected to cater to years 7 to 11 and include on-site energy generation and a recycling centre to help reduce carbon emissions, as well as extra bike storage to provide pupils with a sustainable option of cycling to school.
Kier will also provide an on-site sustainability lab, which will provide on-site vocational training during construction from the Kier team and consultants.
The Sustainability Lab is part of Kier’s commitment to deliver social value to the school and local community with students and teachers set to design the internal ‘eco’ features for the lab. The Sustainability Lab will continue as a usable facility once works have been completed in Summer 2023.
Throughout the scheme, Kier will be supporting surrounding educational institutions offering students work experience, apprenticeships and placements.
‘A new net-zero building with clear environmental benefits’
Jason Taylor, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “North Somerset Council and Cabot Learning Foundation have a clear vision to provide sustainable educational buildings and we are delighted they have appointed us to deliver the expansion at Winterstoke Hundred Academy.
“We share their vision and passion and through our Building for a Sustainable World commitments at Kier, we will create a new net zero building with clear environmental benefits as well as offer employment and training opportunities to the local community as part of our social value commitments.”
‘A defining moment’
Steve Taylor CEO of Cabot Learning Federation commented: “We are delighted that this project has reached such a defining moment. The partnership with Kier and North Somerset Council has been key to bringing us to the point where we can expand the offer of this already over-subscribed school.
“At its inception two years ago, the school spoke to its community regarding its intended focus on environmental science. The opportunity to hone this curriculum focus within a net zero building is extremely exciting and entirely in line with our priorities as a trust.”
‘Increasing the number of school places in North Somerset’
Councillor Steve Bridger also stated: “It’s great to see construction begin on the first of our Housing Infrastructure Fund projects.
“When completed, the new school building will increase the number of school places in North Somerset, so that we can continue to offer our young people an opportunity to learn in their local area.
“I’m also proud to say that the building has been designed to meet some of the top environmental standards, helping us work towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and thinking about the future of our region as well as our young people.”
