Excellent report for Welsh eco-schools

Primary schools in Wales are showing the way on the sustainability front as a growing number of authorities embrace green building techniques as new facilities are needed.


On April 15 Rogiet Primary, this year’s winner in the BREEAM award schools category, installed its crowning glory – a giant turbine which will power the building.

The 210-place school received a BREEAM excellent rating, with an overall score of 78.2% under the ranking system, the highest for any school building.

“This building is a standing tribute to the hard work and dedication shown by the whole of the project team,” said BRE Global Chief Executive, Carol Atkinson.

“The excellent rating is well deserved and showcases many features that will provide high levels of sustainability for years to come.”

Monmouthshire County Council’s head of property services, Derek Downer, added: “BREEAM has set the standards to aim for and has encouraged the site team to interact with the school in developing sustainability as an embedded culture, thus encouraging future generations to live sustainably.”

Craig White, director of the school’s design team White Design, said: “With Monmouthshire County Council, who commissioned the building and Willmott Dixon, our construction partners, we shared an innovative approach and an ambition to make Rogiet school an exemplar of sustainable design, which BREEAM has enabled us to measure and celebrate”.

The design company also recently completed another green school in South Wales, this time in Aberfan at the behest of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.

Environmental features at the Ynysowen Community Primary School include ground source heat pumps, a rainwater harvesting system, solar hot water, natural daylighting and ventilation, and FSC timber throughout.

Each of the classrooms has a winter garden with underfloor heating which provides additional outdoor space throughout the year.

Sam Bond

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe