19 August 2010

Eco school for Wakefield
A flagship eco school in Wakefield is now complete and is expected to open its doors in time for the autumn term.

As well as being one of the UK's greenest primary schools, Sandal Magna Community Primary also shares something in common with two of the world's most iconic structures.

The building boasts a contemporary bell tower which houses the old school bell from the Victorian Sandal Magna Primary School. It has been restored by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, makers of Big Ben and the Liberty Bell.

The school is also home to an impressive array of sustainable features, including a rainwater harvesting system with transparent pipework, to help youngsters learn about water use, plus ground source heat pumps, a natural ventilation system and solar panels.

Wakefield Council's cabinet member for children and young people, coun Pat Garbutt said: "The building is an exemplar of the best-designed schools of the future it will be a space fit for learning and will help our pupils learn about the importance of the environment."

She added: "Top-class facilities will mean our young people can take massive strides towards achieving their aspirations.

"The design and features of this school mean it will be perfectly placed to deliver education for many years to come and I hope it will be promoted as a national example for its innovative design."

Although the building has replaced the old school, which was no longer fit for purpose, parts of the old school have been retained to add elements of historical interest.

As well as the bell, bricks from the tired-looking existing building have been reused in retaining walls and garden features.

Wakefield Council led the creation of the new school and secured funding from the former Department for Children Schools and Families as part of its Zero Carbon Exemplar Project to ensure new school buildings can be zero carbon by 2016.

It has been designed by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects, London, in partnership with NPS Group.

Demolition of the old school building will be completed in the next few weeks.

For the full news article and to be taken to the website, click here