RISING FROM THE ASHES, DERBY’S GREEN SCHOOL

In the next 12 months, a Derby school will be rebuilt to become the country’s most environmentally friendly building, as part of a Government pilot project to construct green schools. St Mary’s Catholic Primary, in Broadway, was destroyed in an arson attack in October 2020 and since then pupils have had lessons in temporary accommodation.

To celebrate the start of work on the multi-million pound – the cost has not been revealed by the Government so far – a series of artist’s impressions have been released, together with a video.

The project is based on biophilia which means it focuses on connecting those inside the building with nature, with the goal of promoting physical and mental health. The aim is for the new building to be net zero carbon in operation – which means that the amount of carbon emissions added is no more than the amount taken away.

St Mary’s, which is part of St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, will be a series of single-storey pavilions connected by a central canopy. Each age group – early years, infants and juniors – has a practical shared learning resource space which can be used to support pupils’ academic, social and emotional development. In addition, there is an entrance building featuring a hall, chapel and communal areas, which are connected to outdoor spaces.

The new multi-million-pound school would be largely timber built and insulated to a high level. It will also be naturally ventilated with photo-voltaic solar panels and heating will be via air-source heat pumps. Roofs will be green wildflower seeded to maximise biodiversity and local ecology. The building will have full-height windows to provide views of the landscape for pupils and staff.

Source: Derby Telegraph