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North Somerset Council and Cabot Learning Federation have selected construction firm Kier to deliver a new £30.5million net zero carbon building for Winterstoke Hundred Academy in Weston-Super-Mare.
The new school building, funded by Homes England's Housing Infrastructure Fund, will be an expansion of the Winterstoke Hundred Academy and will provide 900 new pupil places when complete.
Procured through the Southern Construction Framework, this expansion supports North Somerset Council’s commitment to make North Somerset carbon neutral by 2030 and the three-storey 80,000m2 building has been designed to achieve Net Zero Carbon in operation, a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating and have a 10% biodiversity net gain.
The new school facilities are expected to cater to years 7 to 11 and include on-site energy generation and a recycling centre to help reduce carbon emissions, as well as extra bike storage to provide pupils with a sustainable option of cycling to school.
To support the school syllabus which specialises in environmental science and climate change, Kier will have an on-site Sustainability Lab which will provide on-site vocational training during construction from the Kier team and consultants. The Sustainability Lab is part of Kier’s commitment to deliver social value to the school and local community with students and teachers set to design the internal ‘eco’ features for the lab. The Sustainability Lab will continue as a usable facility once works have been completed in Summer 2023.
Throughout the scheme, Kier will be supporting surrounding educational institutions offering students work experience, apprenticeships and placements.
Jason Taylor, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: "North Somerset Council and Cabot Learning Foundation have a clear vision to provide sustainable educational buildings and we are delighted they have appointed us to deliver the expansion at Winterstoke Hundred Academy.
"We share their vision and passion and through our Building for a Sustainable World commitments at Kier, we will create a new net zero building with clear environmental benefits as well as offer employment and training opportunities to the local community as part of our social value commitments."
