First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones has officially opened a new school in Monmouthshire, which has been described as one of the most sustainable in the whole of the UK.

Rogiet Primary School, which was built with the help of £2.15 million from the Welsh Assembly Government, was awarded a BREEAM (Building Research Environmental Assessment Method) excellent rating and the school was also was named the UK’s best sustainable school building at the BREEAM Awards 2010.

The school building includes a range of environmental features including solar panels to heat water for bathrooms and kitchens, rainwater harvesting and a natural timber frame to maintain heat in the winter and keep it cooler in the summer. The school also has a natural habitat area and pond for children to study local vegetation and wildlife, as well as fruit trees whose fruit are then used in the school kitchen.

-- Advertisement --

The First Minister said: "It is a great pleasure for me to officially open Rogiet Primary School today and with an investment of more than £2 million, proves the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to deliver schools which are fit for the 21st Century.

"Built to the highest environmental standards, which is demonstrated by the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard, this is a school provides a sustainable environment which is conducive to learning and most definitely a school which the governors, teachers and parents and children can be very proud of."

The 170-pupil school has also been shortlisted for a sustainability award by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

(CD/GK)