Work begins on sustainability pilot school for DfE

Galliford Try’s cutting-edge work in producing sustainable educational facilities has been underlined by the award of a new contract to build the Marjorie McClure Special Needs and Disability School, a new Sustainability Pilot Scheme for the Department for Education (DfE).

Contracts have been signed with the London Borough of Bromley (LBB) to build the school, which has been designed to reduce energy demand and encourage biodiversity in response to the UK Government target to achieve net zero in ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions by 2050. Galliford Try recently outlined its own commitment to reach net zero carbon across its own operations by 2030.

The school, which will be delivered by Galliford Try’s Building Southern business unit, is a 100-place facility for students aged 4-19 with a range of different complex needs including physical, medical and learning difficulties.

The school utilises a daylighting strategy that includes a window design which balances daylight and overheating by the use of external shading but also a careful consideration of natural light and ventilation to reduce energy use. Heating and hot water generation is fossil fuel free by means of an air source heat pump and photovoltaics are included on the roof which will generate energy to be offset against overall usage.

The building will be constructed with timber Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) that are manufactured offsite, providing enhanced fabric performance and reducing embodied carbon, and have been extensively used in Galliford Try’s award-winning Optimum Schools solution.

Claire Jackson, Education Director for Galliford Try, commented: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the DfE for their Sustainability Pilot scheme, further proving our credentials in providing high-quality sustainable educational buildings. We are constantly evolving our Optimum Schools offering, working towards an Optimum Schools Zero offering and this project at Marjorie McClure is an important step along the road to zero carbon.”

Gavin Bridge, Managing Director for Galliford Try Building Southern, commented: “It is a fantastic opportunity for our team to work on such an important scheme. We look forward to working with LBB and the DfE to realise their vision for the school and provide all the students with the high-quality facilities they deserve, in a sustainable setting.”