Topic Schools and Colleges
Date 25 Jul 2023
Pupils from Catherine Infant School’s Eco Committee were on hand to take part in a special event to mark the switch of their new school building to become a Net Zero Carbon in Operation School.
The students and staff undertook a ceremonial switch-off of the gas supply to the school, before they move into temporary accommodation after the summer holidays. Neither their new environment, nor the new facility that is being created by Galliford Try Building East Midlands to replace it, require a gas supply, as part of the Net Zero commitment.
The £14m new building, which is being built on behalf of the Department for Education, features a high-performance envelope and insulation, alongside air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, heat recovery and solar-powered wind catchers, alongside a natural ventilation system, to achieve its Net Zero ambitions.
The school is one of nine that are currently being delivered by Galliford Try for the Department for Education that are part of their sustainability pilot and Net Zero in Operation initiatives.
Claire Jackson, Education Director for Galliford Try, commented: “Our team were delighted to be able to help the students and staff to mark this symbolic occasion. It is important throughout the project that we can interact with the school to demonstrate the steps we are taking that will ensure their new building is as sustainable as it can be.
“Net Zero in Operation is both the present and the future for education building and we look forward to working with all the stakeholders involved to help us reach our targets for Catherine School.”