The Earl of Wessex officially opened Exeter's greenest school yesterday, Tuesday 17th October.

His Royal Highness visited Montgomery Primary in St Thomas which has been formally certified as England's first zero-carbon school.

He spent over an hour touring the building and chatting to pupils, staff, parents and governors.

He said: "Thank you for inviting me and sharing what you are doing in your school.

"It’s a fantastic and brilliant school."

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The Devon County Council school is one of the greenest buildings in the UK and generates all its own electricity – and a surplus – from an array of solar panels on the roof.

The innovative, air-tight Passivhaus design means it doesn't need a boiler to provide heating.

For most of the time, the building is warmed by the body heat of pupils and staff and the thick insulation keeps it cool in summer and warm in winter.

Montgomery is believed to be the first school in Europe to be both Passivhaus and zero-carbon.

Headteacher Martyn Boxall said: "We were delighted that HRH The Earl of Wessex came to visit our school and opened the building.

"He toured the school and heard about teaching and learning at Montgomery School.

"He saw lessons in action and talked to children as they worked.

"The Earl also met some of the people involved in the design and construction of the building."

(CD)