Waterfoot Primary School

Built to BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standard, the 1,850 sq m primary school utilised a structural steel frame, with glazed elevations, incorporating natural stone and cedar cladding.

Other features include a natural, sedum, shallow-pitched roof with water collection facilities. Modcell, straw bale super-insulated panels where used to reduce heat-loss, energy use and cut CO2 output.

Others features include under-floor heating via ground source heat pumps, natural wind-catcher ventilation units, and a proportion of the school’s electricity requirements provided using roof-mounted solar panels. External features include a school kitchen garden, which utilises the rainwater collection system. Accommodation includes classrooms, a specialist food technology room, library, IT suites, performance and group rooms, staff accommodation, office and administrative suites, and an assembly hall for whole school gatherings.

This project was completed to meet the client’s programme, despite unseasonably poor weather including high rainfall, snow and sleet, affecting work, time which was recouped by adjusting working hours when circumstances improved.

Budget was met and disruption was minimised through the provision of regular neighbourhood newsletters and residents’ meetings. Deliveries were scheduled for times when they would cause minimal disruption and local roads were regularly cleaned and swept with contractor parking limited to site.