Energy and regeneration specialist Equans has been selected by Lancashire County Council to deliver a new, modular primary school in Ribblesdale, Clitheroe, which is designed to achieve net zero carbon status.

The new school will provide 210 new school places for children in the area, and local disruption will be kept to a minimum since the majority of build will take place off-site.

The benefits of modular construction are vast, mainly that it allows for a higher build quality, which is also more energy efficient and means a faster build time as opposed to traditional construction methods.


Equans will install a ground source heat pump, supplying the school with a sustainable source of heat and hot water. Solar PV will also be installed on the roof, which will generate power for the school.

Equans has revealed the school will benefit from the company's School Zero product – which concurrently promises net zero construction, as well as teaching children about the importance of sustainability.

Equans has invested in high quality curriculum materials and built a portal of useful information for teachers, which has a range of bespoke ‘free to all’ materials for Key Stage 1 and 2 including 'TED' style talks for teachers to support and grow their understanding of climate change and help them better engage pupils and local communities on the agenda.

Equans has also provided 'Industry Insights' session to 145 students from Ribblesdale High School: as well as offering two apprenticeships for students at Preston College.

The school is scheduled to be complete in August 2023.