COP26: Let’s Go Zero, representing 700 UK schools

Photo: Students at Corpus Christi Primary school in Glasgow with the climate change plan they prepared for COP.

Like thousands of schools, they have done all the easy eco-wins, but need government support to make

the big decarbonisation changes to become zero carbon. Credit: Corpus Christi Primary School  

COP26: Let’s Go Zero, representing 700 UK schools, meets with Sec of State for Education demanding support for school climate action.

 

The letter details how backing zero carbon schools can play a major role in reaching the government’s ambitious target to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, and in the levelling up agenda.  Decarbonising schools and colleges – by investing in modern buildings and technology, on-site energy generation, green spaces, sustainable food and other measures – will not only cut school energy consumption, but also drive job creation in the near-term.

A nationwide schools and colleges retrofit programme would create thousands of new, skilled jobs, and bring economic benefits in local communities.  It would contribute to building the companies, supply-chains, and skills base needed for decarbonising homes and other buildings right across the country.

Retrofitting the UK’s 32,000 schools is also an effective way to ensure that green economic activity is spread equally, from rural villages to inner cities. Finally, learning in a sustainable environment would inspire students. The campaign also includes a call to help schools put climate action at the heart of their teaching.

Photo: Harriet Lamb, Ashden CEO, Alex Green, Programme Manager of Let’s Go Zero and Peter Jelkeby, UK and Ireland CEO of IKEA and Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi MP a letter demanding support for schools to take speedy and dramatic climate action. Credit: Ashden

The campaign’s full demands are:

  • The government commits to all UK schools being carbon zero by 2030, and announces long term and consistent policies and funding to enable this.
  • Government ensures there is investment in training teachers in education for sustainable development across the curriculum, and in equipping colleges and schools to give all learners a connection to nature
  • The government commits to investing in adapting and retrofitting the school estate
  • The Department for Education commits to improving their building specifications, so that all new school buildings from 2022 onwards will be net zero carbon.
  • By 2025, every school is mandated to have a funded Climate Action Plan that provides step by step guidance cutting through the current complicated procedures that will result in zero carbon status.
  • Every school should have a trained staff member who acts as a Sustainability Lead.
  • Sustainability to be embedded as a statutory feature of careers guidance in UK schools by 2025.

At COP26, the Department for Education  launched a pivotal consultation into school sustainability. Let’s Go Zero will continue to recruit new schools and feed the views of students and teachers into this consultation process.

 

 

Harriet Lamb, CEO of Ashden which coordinates Let’s Go Zero, said:

“There is massive untapped potential to accelerate decarbonisation in education, and we also hope to respond to those young people calling for change, and to inspire and educate the whole next generation to make sustainable, healthy choices in their lifestyle. Young people are a leading force in shaping public discourse around climate change, this letter presents their demands and sets out a credible path forward for the Secretary of State to take.

Louise White, Principal Teacher at Let’s Go Zero school Corpus Christi Primary school in Knightswood, Glasgow said: “We have a responsibility as educators to teach sustainability education. It is important to give real world skills that can be used by our learners to make a difference to improve our planet. As stewards of the earth we need to protect our planet for our and successive generations.”

 

The letter was signed by:

Harriet Lamb, CEO, Ashden.
Peter Jelkeby, Country Retail Manager UK & Ireland and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA.
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary, National Education Union.
Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer, Church of England Education Office.
Emma Knights OBE, Chief Executive, National Governance Association.
Tanya Steele, CEO, WWF UK.
Sonja Graham, CEO, Global Action Plan.

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Technology can be harnessed to provide Safer Schools

A study has been launched into the feasibility of using air cleaners to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in 30 primary schools in Bradford.  It is a major investigation into how environmental technology could be harnessed to provide safer, healthier spaces.

The study is investigating two different approaches to disinfecting the air with the use of portable or wall-mounted cleaners. One is based on filtering the air by passing it through what is known as a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which captures most airborne viruses. The second approach involves cycling the air through an enclosed unit where it is exposed to an ultraviolet germicidal light, which inactivates microorganisms including viruses.

The two technologies have been widely used in other settings and are regarded as safe.

Based on the outcome of modelling and experimental analysis, the scientists involved in the study are “confident” that the technologies will reduce the risk of COVID-19 being spread by microscopic respiratory particles carried in the air, also known as aerosol transmission.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “We are delighted to oversee the funding of this important trial, run by the University of Leeds.

“The newly-formed UKHSA has a vital part to play in the application of science and evidence in protecting the public’s health. This study will help us to better understand if different environmental interventions like air purifiers can help minimise the risks posed by COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses, without disruption to our everyday lives.

“The study reflects our commitment to keeping students in the classroom, in a way that is as safe as possible. Studies like this one will also improve our long-term preparedness to protect children from future diseases.”

The £1.85 million investigation is being funded by the Department for Health and Social Care and led by Professor Mark Mon-Williams from the University of Leeds. He said: “Research has suggested that children have lost as much as half a year of schooling because of the disruption caused by the pandemic.

“There is an urgent need to identify technologies that could be adopted by schools to try and stop the spread of COVID-19. We know that good ventilation can help disperse the aerosols that can cause infection, but in a busy classroom ventilation alone will not be enough.

“Environmental technology offers a potential solution – it will enable schools to operate as normal as possible and hopefully reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading among pupils.”

The trial is focusing on primary schools because most children spend a large part of the day in the same room. Also, many children in year 1 – those aged five and six – have fallen behind in reading, maths and writing because of the disruption to schools.

Good room ventilation helps to keep the air clean, but ventilation alone is not enough when children are talking loudly, singing or walking around the room. The respiratory aerosol that is created can hang in the air for extended periods and the use of air purification technology could provide a solution.

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Design of the trial 

Each of the 30 primary schools taking part in the study will have devices that track the quality of the air inside the building. The schools have been randomly allocated to one of three experimental groups. Twelve schools are acting as a control, which means they will carry on as usual and will not have any air purification technology installed.

Of the remaining 20 schools, 10 have had portable air filtration devices fitted in classrooms and they have already been switched on.

The final eight schools are in the process of having ultraviolet light (UV-C) technology fitted on classroom walls. These are sealed units which take in air and expose it to ultraviolet light. No ultraviolet light is emitted from the unit and if a device is tampered with, it deactivates. By the end of this month (November), UV-C units will be operating in four schools, and in all eight by Christmas.

Over the coming weeks, scientists will collect data on the number of children in the schools who develop a COVID-19 infection or become ill with flu or asthma, and whether there is any difference in the levels of illness seen in those schools with the air purification devices.

It is possible that air purification devices will reduce other respiratory conditions.

‘Step forward for schools’ 

One of the schools taking part in the study is Bowling Park Primary School in Bradford.

Headteacher Matthew Langley said: “Good attendance is key to children being successful at school. As for many schools, COVID-19 caused huge disruption to Bowling Park Primary School. Repeated lockdowns created very real challenges for our children, families and staff as we all worked together to continue learning from home, but the greatest problems were caused by individual cases of COVID-19 that led to bubbles, classes or groups of classes, being closed for up to ten days at a time.

“Despite our very best efforts, our school had over 30 bubble closures last year.

“We are delighted to be part of this pilot study. All our classrooms are now fitted with air filters designed to remove airborne viruses and improve air quality for children and staff. It feels like a real step forward for us as we return to normal and try to make school as safe, consistent and positive for all our children, families and staff.”

Councillor Imran Khan, deputy leader of Bradford Council and portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, said: “We are proud that Bradford is taking a lead in finding a solution to fighting COVID in schools.

“Schools are the best place for children to learn and develop. One of the worst impacts of the pandemic has been on the disruption to children’s education.

“The findings of this study could help keep pupils safer in schools by reducing the risk of the virus spreading in classrooms and so reducing the number of days of lost learning.

“We are grateful to our schools who are involved in the pilot scheme and look forward to hearing the results.”

Bradford was chosen as the location for the trial because of the hugely successful Born in Bradford study where schools, Bradford Council, health professionals and academic researchers work together to investigate ways of promoting the health and wellbeing of children in the city.

Professor John Wright, Director of Research at Bradford Institute for Health Research, part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “One of the early findings from Born in Bradford during the pandemic was how the disruption to school was affecting families’ mental and physical health.

“This is a great example of how scientists are working with our schools to help develop solutions to put an end to this disruption and protect children and teachers.”

 

Notes on the environmental technology being trialled 

HEPA air filtration. The devices are being supplied by Philips. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters trap unwanted particles such as dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses and hair from the air while allowing clean air to be pushed back out into the environment.

Philips Air Purifiers employ NanoProtect HEPA filters. NanoProtect HEPA uses a combination of mechanical and electrostatic action over three layers. The mechanical action inner layer catches the bigger particles, such as dust and hair. The active carbon layer neutralizes harmful gases and odours, and finally electrostatic action is used to capture the smaller particles such as bacteria and viruses down to 0.03 microns. This triple later filter design enables optimum size, better air circulation, increased speed of air cleaning and lower energy consumption.

Ritchie McFee, Commercial Director for Philips Domestic Appliances says: “It is vital that we all work together to understand how to make spaces like schools as safe as possible for children, teachers and the wider community. Philips has a long heritage in the air purification field, and we were honoured our technology was selected as part of this important study.

“It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated teams of professors and researchers to launch such a meaningful project.”

Ultraviolet light (UV-C). The devices are supplied by Signify. UV-C is a well-established method of disinfection that has been used for decades1 to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. It can clean air, surfaces, objects and water by breaking down the DNA or RNA (ribonucleic acid) of micro-organisms, rendering them harmless. All bacteria and viruses tested to date (many hundreds over the years, including various coronaviruses) respond to UV-C cleaning2.

The UV-C Active air device is designed to clean the air during day-to-day activities while people are present. It can be installed on a wall or on a ceiling across many applications, for example, within restaurants and bars, stores, offices and schools. Ventilators pull the air from the room inside the device which then filters and cleans it. The clean air comes out of the UV-C Active air device back into the room.

The UV-C devices will provide an extra layer of protection for the students, staff and visitors, providing the highest quality air, helping to reduce sickness and absenteeism.

Stephen Rouatt, Chief Executive Officer of Signify UK&I, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the pilot and provide UV-C technology solutions within schools as an added layer of protection. The effectiveness of UV-C on the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 and other bacteria, has been validated through multiple studies.

“With growing insights that the amount of virus in the air can build up in poorly ventilated rooms, the need for a safe, healthy and ventilated environment becomes even more crucial. Our UV-C Active air disinfection devices will not only help the schools to support a back-to-school plan but more importantly, will help keep the children and staff safe and healthy, ensuring no more disruptions are caused to children’s education.’’

1. EPA Report, “Building Retrofits for Increased Protection Against Airborne Chemical and Biological Releases” Pg. 56

2. Fluence (UV Dose) Required to Achieve Incremental Log Inactivation of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses and Algae Revised, updated and expanded by Adel Haji Malayeri, Madjid Mohseni, Bill Cairns and James R. Bolton. With earlier contributions by Gabriel Chevrefils (2006) and Eric Caron (2006) With peer review by Benoit Barbeau, Harold Wright (1999) and Karl G. Linden

Air Monitoring devices. The schools will be using a digital device created by property technology company arbnco to capture a range of data about air quality: temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. The air quality data from the classrooms will help analyse how the HEPA filters and UV-C cleaners may help minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission, as well as reducing absences due to cold and flu infections and improve the air quality – particularly for pupils with asthma and hay fever.

Simon West, Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of arbnco, said: “We’re proud to be using our technology and expertise in what is one of most nationally significant projects in the fightback against Covid-19.

“Children are also particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and this project has the potential to make our classrooms both safer and healthier. It’s not an overstatement to say that getting the air quality and ventilation right in our schools could be the key to improving the health and wellbeing of the nation as a whole.”

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EDUCATING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

COP26 is creating shockwaves throughout the world this week, highlighting the importance of conversation and education regarding sustainability, climate change & recycling. The summit has displayed the need for change in all areas, including improving teaching the youngest members of our communities.

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In reaction, innovative recycling specialists & sustainable consultants MyGroup & ReWorked have announced the launch of their education, recycling & rewards scheme SchoolCycled. – https://mygroupltd.com/schoolcycled/

The scheme aims to engage with primary schools across the UK – providing an expert educational package on a whole host of sustainability topics.

Participating schools will have access to the SchoolCycled bottle cap recycling scheme, whereby pupils collect plastic bottle lids in dedicated boxes within their school. Bottle caps can then be exchanged for Earth Points – the schools can exchange points for kids furniture, planters and play equipment made from the plastic they collect.

“Educating children from an early age about climate change and the importance of the environment is crucial for the future of the planet. Increasing the respect of the next generation for the earth will help reduce litter, pollution and waste – whilst inspiring the inventors & environmentalists of the future.” – says Izzie Glazzard, MyGroup.

MyGroup is seeking sponsorship to ensure the scheme is available to as many children as possible. You can support the campaign by sharing & donating to their GoFundMe campaign – https://gofund.me/0fec1cf1

Schools & teachers interested in onboarding the scheme can register their interest online at – https://mygroupltd.com/schoolcycled/ OR get in touch directly at schoolcycled@mygroupltd.com

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CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON BESPOKE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON BESPOKE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN LEICESTER

WORK has officially started on a six-storey high-quality student accommodation facility, in the heart of Leicester’s city centre.

The Marble Street development, which was granted planning permission in February, will feature 61 rooms – a mix of shared and studio rooms – as well as a new student social hub, which will create a vibrant front to the city.

Designed by architecture firm CPMG Architects, and delivered by property developers Tang Developments and DAKO Construction, the new accommodation will sit next to the existing eight-storey iQ student block and will reflect the character and appearance of its surroundings with a bespoke and contemporary structure.

Nick Gregory, director at CPMG Architects, said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Tang Developments and DAKO to deliver and bring a much-needed scheme to the city of Leicester.

“We’ve created a design that is both unique but also reflects the existing character of the wider environment and the street’s aesthetics. The scheme is located on previously developed land, which will help reduce the pressure of greenfield land for development and encourage residents to walk and cycle.”

The building’s new social area will open directly onto Marble Street, with three studio rooms provided behind these – each with a double bed, private bathroom, kitchenette, and seating area, as well as individual gardens with views across the city.

Twelve rooms will sit on the first, second, third and fourth floors, with communal kitchens, large social lounge areas – giving students a place to cook, relax and socialise.

Kane Tang, managing director at Tang Developments, said: “As an established property developer in the East Midlands, we’re pleased to be part of this project to deliver 61 new student homes. The professional team at CPMG has submitted an outstanding design of the building, which will provide a mixture of rooms to bring a range of students to the area.”

The project team also includes project manager Pulse, M+E consultant CPW and structural and civil engineer Dice.

For more information about CPMG Architects, please visit: www.cpmg-architects.com/

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ROCKWOOL® supports specifiers with education hub launch

New hub improves access to ROCKWOOL resources for education construction

 

As UK Governments place further investment in the quality of school buildings, ROCKWOOL UK has developed a new education hub to support specifiers in using non-combustible stone wool insulation to deliver thermal, acoustic and fire safety performance. The ROCKWOOL education hub contains a series of useful tools and guides covering exemplar case studies, product specifications and school building regulations.

The new hub grants easy access to ROCKWOOL for Education Environments, a comprehensive guide that assists the design and construction of learning spaces. From sector specific building regulations and best practice to case studies and future trends, ROCKWOOL for Education Environments is the go-to resource for construction stakeholders.

The education hub also enables specifiers to explore the ROCKWOOL Interactive City virtual school. The environment makes visualising and selecting insulation solutions quick and easy, while keeping teaching and learning experiences at the forefront. Through features like zoom, 360º views, pan-able application build-ups and augmented reality, users can explore the ROCKWOOL insulation range across a wide range of facades and applications within education settings.

For real world examples and inspiration of how stone wool insulation helps designers to create high-quality schools, colleges and universities, visitors to the education hub can also read a series of notable case studies.

Paul Barrett, Head of Product Management at ROCKWOOL, says: “The ROCKWOOL education hub acts as a central source of knowledge for professionals involved in school building projects, and will enable them to access all the relevant guidance and specification support they need to deliver outstanding education environments. We will continue to update the hub to ensure that specifiers always have access to the latest information and guidance, and to offer new resources which reflect developments in education construction.”

 

CLICK HERE TO  VISIT the ROCKWOOL education hub and download the ROCKWOOL for Education Environments guide today:

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PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS OF MMC FOR EDUCATION – VIDEO

With poor building design and inadequate ventilation blamed for aiding the spread of Covid-19 early in the pandemic, professionals from the construction industry have been unsurprised by recent spikes in cases as  thousands of pupils returned to education settings across the UK. In a new video, consultancy Gleeds highlights the benefits of modern methods of construction (MMC) for the education sector, which is in need of a multi-billion-pound revamp to bring it up to the standard required by a growing and ambitious student population.

 

According to the National Audit Office, 60% of school facilities were built before 1976 and are often under-engineered, over-occupied buildings. With poor air flow and hidden dangers such as asbestos threatening the health of students and educators, institutions of all sizes are being forced to take urgent action in order to make their buildings fit-for-purpose. The new Gleeds’ video features an in-depth interview with Paul Prince, programme manager for capital projects at the University of Oxford who spearheaded the application of MMC on the University’s new Biochemistry and Biological Sciences Teaching Centre. A first for this global exemplar of educational excellence.

 

Among many surprising things revealed during his extensive interview Prince says, “When faced with the displacement of 1200 staff and students, we needed to think and act quickly to provide everyone with a safe new space. Although the initial reason for pursuing MMC on this project was speed – we had just a few short months to get operational – what it has shown me is that modular is not just a temporary solution but a long-term one.”

 

He went to add. “The building Gleeds delivered is the best quality that the client has seen in their time at the University and, while it may be clear from the outside that this is a modular space, internally you would be none the wiser – you’d think it was a traditionally constructed building.”

 

Heather Makin, director of higher and further education at Gleeds added, “The outbreak of Covid-19 has affirmed what we already knew – that many of the UK’s existing educational facilities failed to consider public health in their design. With the government advocating for the use of MMC in education, there will, we hope, be a gradual shift in perception and an acknowledgement of its far-reaching benefits. These projects can be exciting, efficient, and stand the test of time. Developments in design and manufacture mean that each project can be customised, tailored to be as flexible as possible to maximise the benefits of a modular solution without compromising on basic principles like well-considered ventilation.”

 

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ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL CELEBRATES EXPANSION

Arnold House School celebrates first half term as newly enlarged independent school for boys

Arnold House School in St John’s Wood, North-West London has enjoyed a successful first half-term as a newly expanded school, following the launch of its Pre-Reception (3+) and Reception classes in a fully renovated, and recently acquired, nearby building. The comprehensive re-fit project of The Huxley Building on Marlborough Place was carried out by BRAC Contracts which has a rich heritage of completing school-based construction projects across both the state and independent sectors.

Having acquired the freehold ownership of the building, which had previously been used as a teacher training school, the governing body at Arnold House School engaged the services of Cottrell and Vermeulen Architecture to create a vision for how the building could be transformed to meet not only the needs of the newly expanded early years provision, but to also provide enhanced learning facilities for the entire school. With that vision in place, the architects recommended BRAC Contracts to deliver the transformation given the team’s existing experience in the education sector.

Work on site commenced in July 2021 and with the launch of the expanded early years’ provision scheduled for September, there was a lot to complete before the new school year. Adam Clark, MD at BRAC Contracts comments:

“The Huxley Building was acquired by Arnold House in order to expand its learning resources and facilities. With a target opening date of the first day of the new academic year in September, there was a real focus on ensuring that the work was completed on time and that it provided a safe and appropriate environment for the new incoming year groups.

“Having worked on numerous school-based projects, this wasn’t an issue for the BRAC team.”

The Huxley Building is comprised of spacious classrooms, office space and a beautiful drawing room that leads onto a mature garden making it perfect for early years’ education.

The refit project was focused primarily on reconfiguring two adjoining rooms to make an enlarged dining room area; the supply and fit of a new stainless steel catering kitchen; ceiling sound proofing to two new classrooms; the re-fit of an existing disabled access toilet, along with the installation of new pupil toilet facilities and exterior work to meet the bespoke safety and security needs of a school setting.

Speaking on behalf of Arnold House School, newly appointed Headmaster Mr Giles Tollit, says:

“An expansion of this kind is incredibly exciting for Arnold House School and having acquired The Huxley Building a year ago, it’s fantastic to now see it come to life with the new Pre-Reception and Reception pupils enjoying the new facilities.

“Whilst the building had a heritage linked to education, it was important that work was carried out to not only accommodate our new pupils, but to also enhance the facilities for the whole school community. The school’s Governing Body chose to engage the services of Cottrell and Vermeulen Architecture knowing that their experience of designing and building educational facilities is award-winning. Through them, we were introduced to the team at BRAC who came highly recommended.

“Importantly, given our September launch date, the BRAC team worked proactively over the summer to not only deliver the work on time, but under budget too! It’s great to now see new life being breathed in to The Huxley Building and the pupils are enjoying their new surroundings – especially the green and red washrooms which have proven to be a big hit!”

 

The Huxley Building was officially opened by Giles Tollit with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

 

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COMPLETION OF NEW EARLY YEARS CENTRES

BAKERHICKS COMPLETE WORK ON NEW EARLY YEARS CENTRES FOR EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL

 

BakerHicks, the multi-disciplinary design, engineering and project delivery company, have completed their part in the planning, design and build of four multi-million-pound Early Years Centres across East Dunbartonshire.

The three new facilities, Bearsden Early Years Centre in Bearsden, Lairdsland Early Years Centre in Kirkintilloch and Oakburn Early Years Centre in Milngavie, plus the newly refurbished and extended Killermont Primary and Nursery in Bearsden, will provide more than 348 learning places for local families.

BakerHicks were appointed to provide the building services design for all four facilities by hub West Scotland for East Dunbartonshire Council. Working closely with main contractor, Robertson Construction, and architects, Holmes Miller, they supported all aspects of the building services, including the design and specification of the water systems, electricity, IT systems, lighting and mechanical installations.

During the planning approval stage, BakerHicks were also consulted to review plans to ensure full infrastructure and energy compliance with Scottish Building Regulations, as well as being involved in both the thermal and acoustics analysis.

The ethos for each building is to create a positive learning environment, taking advantage of both inside and outside space with a focus on sustainable and efficient practices to ensure a futureproof design. This included maximising the use of clean energy, with electricity being used to power all systems and solar panels installed to produce a robust and sustainable facility that will deliver a long-term aim. Each of the new facilities combines spacious outdoor play and learning zones, with state-of-the-art indoor areas and playrooms that are all fully equipped with the latest IT systems and learning technologies.

Colin Lawrence, head of building services for Scotland at BakerHicks, says each of the new facilities will provide a high-quality learning environment: “This has been a fantastic project to be involved in, especially given our long-standing relationship with the Council. All of the contractors and the client worked together in close partnership to deliver these great new facilities and positive learning environments that will play a crucial role in delivering early learning and childcare for families across the region.

“All services were specifically designed to maintain the integrity of the architectural design, with flexibility and sustainability front-of-mind, as well as being child-friendly, ensuring all systems are easy to operate and crucially, extremely safe.”

Joint Council Leader, Andrew Polson, said: “These centres are an important part of the Council’s commitment to offering quality, flexible, accessible and affordable early years services to the people of East Dunbartonshire. I am delighted that families across the area now have access to these wonderful facilities and that our youngest children can benefit from such a great pre-school experience.”

Joint Council Leader, Vaughan Moody, added: ” Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our build partners worked as often and as quickly as possible with Council officers whenever public health guidance allowed and I am grateful to them for their hard work and determination. I am delighted that we have been able to bring these new facilities on stream.”

Chief Executive Officer of hub West Scotland, Iain Marley, added: “This portfolio of Early Years Centres provide high quality learning environments that will help build skills and confidence and play a key role in children’s future development. Covid-19 has made this and other projects in construction particularly challenging, so we are immensely proud of how well the combined East Dunbartonshire Council and hub team and our supply chain partners have worked together to deliver such a fantastic new facility.”

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FIRE LESSONS MUST BE LEARNED

IAIN COX, chair of the Business Sprinkler Alliance, has urged that lessons from school fires must be learned sooner rather than later. Cox’s words of warning emanate at the start of a new academic term where a primary school in Wiltshire has already suffered from a major fire.

Following 18 months of pandemic disruption, students at the school near Pewsey will now face a further period of uncertainty following the blaze which required 70 firefighters to attend the scene and bring the flames under control.

The fire occurred at the Woodborough Church of England Primary School on Friday 17 September. Ten crews of firefighters and an aerial platform from the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were brought in to deal with the emergency.

While the Fire and Rescue Service skilfully managed to bring the incident under control, there was extensive damage realised to two classrooms and also a Staff Room located in the Victorian part of the school. Sprinklers had not been fitted at the premises for fire suppression purposes. As a direct result of this episode, circa 160 pupils have now been temporarily displaced.

Mandating sprinkler systems

Ben Ansell, chief fire officer at the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, is calling on the Government to make sprinkler systems mandatory in all new build and refurbished schools.

Ansell stated: “As a Fire and Rescue Service, we will continue to promote the installation of sprinklers in new and refurbished school buildings. I know that our specialist fire safety team will be working with the management of the Woodborough Church of England Primary School to explore all available options for keeping the site safe from fire in the future.”

Iain Cox observed: “The Government acknowledges that missing lessons has an impact on attainment at key stages, but at the same time is proposing the requirement for automatic sprinkler protection be removed from its BB100 design guide for most new school buildings. The impact of school fires such as this one and the disruption that they cause can worsen students’ results. The Government’s own statistics affirm this.”

The blaze in Wiltshire comes less than a year after three primary school fires in Derbyshire that, to date, have resulted in rebuild costs totalling £27 million (encompassing Fire and Rescue Service costs along with the need for temporary accommodation and alternative travel). None of these schools were sprinkler protected. Installing such fire suppression measures is estimated to cost between 2% and 3% of total build costs. “It’s a small price to pay to save a vital community building,” suggested Cox, “and protect continuing education and achievement levels for pupils.”

Missing the point

Continuing the core theme, Cox noted: “Often, people miss the point that fires don’t have to damage an entire school to cause disruption. It’s all about educational space. The loss of two classrooms at the Woodborough Church of England Primary School cannot simply be made up by using alternative space. There just isn’t enough capacity within the school.”

The damage to the remainder of the school from such a significant fire means that it will remain out of action for a prolonged period of time. “Some may assume that schools are designed to withstand the risks to which they will be exposed whether through fire, flood or theft, etc,” urged Cox. “Too often, though, buildings will be conceived without due consideration as to the impact of those risks during their lifespan.”

According to a 2020 research study conducted by Zurich Municipal, the education sector insurer for 50% of schools and universities across the UK, schools in England have been hit by 2,300 fires in the past five years alone. The business estimates that 390,000 teaching hours could be lost in the next 12 months as a result of large fires, causing disruption for 28,000 children.

Cox concluded: “When you consider the huge costs associated with school fires such as rebuilding, temporary relocation, the loss of equipment and the impact on attainment when it comes to pupils’ academic work, why are we not learning the lessons from these fires and continuing to build schools without key resilience measures such as sprinkler systems being installed?”

The Business Sprinkler Alliance

The Business Sprinkler Alliance was established in 2010. It’s an alliance of fire safety professionals working to protect UK plc against fire. The Alliance aims to highlight the true cost of fire and increase the number of business premises that have automatic fire sprinklers fitted.

Further, the Business Sprinkler Alliance is driving a cultural change such that sprinklers are understood and accepted as being the norm for active fire protection in UK business buildings.

The Business Sprinkler Alliance’s founding members are the National Fire Chiefs’ Council, the European and National Fire Sprinkler Networks, the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association, commercial insurer FM Global and the Fire Protection Association.

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Funding Sought for Welsh School Developments

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet has supported initial plans to utilise new £85m funding from Welsh Government’s 21stCentury Schools and Colleges Programme – so projects in Llanharry, Cymer, Glyn-coch, Penrhys, Llantwit Fardre and Talbot Green, along with a new special school, will now be developed further.

At their meeting on Monday, October 4, Cabinet Members considered a list of proposed investment projects, using additional funding available due to the revised 21st Century Schools Strategic Outline Programme. Having been recently approved in principle by Welsh Government, the Council’s allocation has risen significantly from £167m to £252m, making an extra £85m available.

The funding will help deliver key commitments via Band B of the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme – including improving special school and Welsh language provision, delivering further 21st Century facilities, and increasing community facilities as part of these developments. The potential schemes put forward for Cabinet’s consideration on Monday included:

  • Ysgol Llanhari – to modernise and replace the majority of the school’s existing buildings.
  • Ysgol Cwm Rhondda – creating a new 3-19 all through school by remodelling and modernising the existing site, or building a brand new school on an alternative site.
  • A new English medium primary provision for Glyncoch – to replace the two existing schools, subject to statutory school reorganisation consultation and decision-making processes.
  • A new special school – to cater for the increased demand for the Council’s special school provision.
  • Penrhys Primary – a new 21st Century school.
  • Maesybryn Primary (Llantwit Fardre) – a new 21st Century school.
  • Tonysguboriau Primary (Talbot Green) – a new 21st Century school.

Cabinet agreed with the recommendations of a report, to formally approve the development of the above revised Programme. Members also agreed to receive further updates on each of these new projects as they progress through the formal funding approval processes by Welsh Government.

As each of these projects is progressed, any statutory consultation that is required will be undertaken in accordance with the School Organisation Code 2018, while the Council’s financial contribution will be reported to Full Council.

Cabinet also considered a separate report during Monday’s meeting, which provided more detail on the proposal for a new special school. It follows Members’ agreement in February 2021 for a detailed review into the pressures on local special schools, with the intention of bringing forward investment proposals to improve current facilities and meet growing demand.

The updated report confirmed that pupil numbers have further risen to 600 in September 2021 (up from 577 last year and 483 in 2013/14) – and it seems inevitable that pupil numbers will continue to grow. The report added that there is likely to be a future increase in the complexities of learners’ needs.

The report concluded that the only feasible alternative to meet pressures is to build a new special school – increasing the number in Rhondda Cynon Taf from four to five. It would be a highly-specialist 21st Century special school environment with access to therapeutic facilities, equipment and resources.

Cabinet Members agreed with the recommendations of the report, and will therefore receive further updates as the proposal develops and progresses. An appraisal on several potential sites for the new school is in its final stages.

Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, said: “On Monday, Cabinet Members had their first opportunity to consider these new proposals, brought forward due to the extension of the strategic outline programme to include an additional £85m Welsh Government funding. While at a very early stage of developments, the projects represent exciting further investments in 21st Century education facilities for the benefit of even more of our staff and pupils.

“The £85m proposals are over and above our existing programme under Band B of the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme. These include the new £10.2m building for Hirwaun Primary School which pupils have been able to enjoy since November 2020, and the £12.1m and £4.5m projects for Ysgol Rhydywaun and YGG Aberdâr which started on site earlier this summer.

“Meanwhile, a planning consultation is underway for a new Welsh Medium primary school in Rhydyfelin, and design is nearly complete for new buildings at Pontyclun Primary, Penygawsi Primary and Llanilltud Faerdref Primary – funded through the Mutual Investment Model (MIM). New all-through schools in Pontypridd and Hawthorn are also being progressed by the Council, as well as a new sixth form teaching block at Bryncelynnog Comprehensive.

“I’m pleased that Cabinet has now agreed for the proposed new projects to be further developed, and updates will be brought forward on each in due course. Carrying on our excellent track record of delivering state-of-the-art 21st Century education facilities, the new schemes would benefit existing schools in Llanharry, Cymer, Glyn-coch, Penrhys, Llantwit Fardre and Talbot Green.

“Specific schemes for Ysgol Llanhari and Ysgol Cwm Rhondda would also enable more learners to be taught through the medium of Welsh, as we continue to improve our Welsh language provision as outlined in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. All proposed projects would also be net zero carbon in operation, helping towards our Climate Change targets and commitments.

“Cabinet also considered a second report, which outlined a recent review into the current capacity pressures across our four existing special schools. It highlighted the continued growth in pupil numbers, the projected increase in the complexity of learners’ needs in the future, and the limitations of current sites. Members agreed with the report’s conclusion that a new special school is the best option to provide a solution, and will help those with the most significant Additional Leaning Needs access the best possible provision.”

Since receiving approval in 2017, a number of investment projects have been progressed, including:

  • The transformation of Hirwaun Primary, which is complete,
  • 21st century School enhancements at YGG Aberdar and YG Rhydywaun, which are progressing well on site,
  • A planning consultation being commenced for a new Welsh medium school in Rhydyfelin,
  • Detailed design nearing completion for three new primary schools funded through MIM, for Pontyclun Primary, Penygawsi Primary and Llanilltud Faerdref Primary,
  • The creation of two all-through schools in Pontypridd and Hawthorn,
  • A new sixth form teaching block and significant improvements to Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School, whichare at the design stage. They form part of the wider transformation of education delivery in the Greater Pontypridd area with an investment totalling over £55m.

Rhys Gregor

Source: Wales 247

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