Kent-based main contractor Baxall Construction has secured Department for Education (DfE) contracts to deliver two of the South East’s first net zero in operation schools.
Baxall has designed and will build the £5.7m new St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Deal and the £8.4m Iqra VA Primary School in London – both of which are being completed under the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme.
The single-story 1,248m2 1FE St Mary’s Catholic Primary School is being built on the school’s current site while the existing 1960s-built school remains in operation.
The 67-week project will encompass demolition and new-build to create 8 new classrooms, a library, new sports/assembly hall, kitchen and Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) for 210 pupils, with overall completion scheduled for October 2024.
Meanwhile, Iqra VA Primary School in Clapham, South London, will be a two-story 1,596m2 1FE primary school built on the school’s current site (the school has relocated to temporary teaching accommodation enabling a complete overhaul of the site grounds).
The 52-week project will encompass demolition and new-build to create new classrooms, a library, new sports/assembly hall, kitchen and MUGA for 210 pupils, plus a new 26-place nursery facility.
As a Muslim voluntary aided faith school, Iqra’s new building has been designed to cater for the school’s specific Islamic faith curriculum. Overall completion is scheduled for April 2024.
Procured via the DfE’s £2 billion 10-year School Rebuilding Programme using the School Building Construction Framework 2021, St Mary’s and Iqra have been designed using Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology to deliver net zero carbon in operation (NZCiO).
Both will also use the advantages of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in delivery to maximise sustainability and ensure the state-of-the-art buildings deliver on the DfE’s commitment to reduce schools’ carbon emissions and energy running costs.
To achieve net zero in operation both buildings have a ‘fabric first’ design approach optimised to provide the required high levels of insulation and air tightness.
Both new schools will surpass the standard Building Regulations while minimising heating demand and energy consumption.
Sustainable features include Air Source Heat Pumps, roof-mounted photovoltaics (PVs) and LED lighting as well as green roofs and sustainable drainage systems.
Minister for Schools Systems Baroness Barran MBE said: “I am delighted work is due to begin at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, which is one of 500 schools across the country set to be rebuilt as part of our School Rebuilding Programme.
“The projects will breathe new life into the local community by providing state-of-the-art school facilities, a modern and eco-friendly working environment for pupils and teachers, which will inspire generations to come.”
Baxall’s managing director Malcolm Clarke added: “We have a long and proud history of working closely with the DfE and Kent County Council to deliver innovative and sustainable projects across the South East.
“As a family-founded SME with our roots firmly in Kent, we are proud to have the opportunity to deliver these two NZCiO projects, which will be the gold standard for future school buildings.”
