The new Primary and Secondary schools in Lyde Green have reached the ‘topping out’ phase, which was marked by a ceremony this month.
On track to be handed over to Olympus Academy Trust and Castle School Education Trust (CSET) in June, both will be open in September next year to welcome their first pupils.
The schools are the largest in England to date that have been designed and built to Passivhaus standards, which will ensure they are carbon neutral and be cheaper to run.
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for schools, Cllr Ian Boulton, was invited to ceremonially tighten the final bolt on the last girder that marks the completion of the school’s exterior construction. Work over the next few months will be focussed inside the structures.
Councillor Boulton said: “I am delighted to be able to see these schools taking shape. Thousands of local children will pass through these halls in the coming years and, starting in September, these buildings will be alive with learning.
“Getting this project up and running, having previously been stalled for years, is just one of the capital programmes that will make a real difference to families in South Gloucestershire. We recently announced projects to deliver a new primary school for the Cribbs Patchway community. The Marlwood school extension in Thornbury was recently completed, and we are looking at a range of smaller-scale, but no less important projects to expand nursery and early years provision it he district. These are investments in our future. “
Claire Moloney-Banks, Interim CEO of Olympus, said: “This milestone is more than just bricks and mortar. It represents our commitment to creating a school where every child can thrive in an environment that is innovative, sustainable, and built for the future. We are excited to open our doors next September and begin a journey that will empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and character they need to succeed in life.”
Will Roberts, Chief Executive of CSET, said: “We are really looking forward to opening a second site for Lyde Green Primary this September. Since opening on our original site in 2015, we have expanded rapidly with nearly 500 pupils now attending the school. This second site will give us the space to further grow the school, ensuring that we can provide the additional places that are needed for children living in Lyde Green over the coming years.”
Justin Price, Construction Director at BAM, who are building the schools, said: “The topping-out of the Lyde Green Schools is an important moment in the creation of a truly sustainable, future-focused learning environment for children in South Gloucestershire. Drawing on our strong track record in delivering Passivhaus schools, BAM is committed to providing spaces that support wellbeing, inspire learning, and stand as a long-term asset for the community.”
The 420-place, primary school will be run by CSET and the 900-place, 11-16 secondary school will be run by Olympus.
The total project funding is more than £58.3 million, which is made up of almost £24 million from South Gloucestershire Council, and more than £34.3 million from the Department of Education under the Free Schools Programme.
Construction is being undertaken by BAM, who have previously built two other energy efficient new school buildings in South Gloucestershire, at Frenchay and Elm Park.
The Passivhaus Standard is an energy, thermal comfort and quality standard, often considered the Rolls Royce standard for energy efficient buildings around the world.
Combined with the timber construction, all electric heating and photovoltaic panels on the roof, the buildings will achieve the highest levels of sustainability.
The schools are very well insulated, have triple glazed windows and ventilation systems, meaning the schools will be warm and comfortable in winter and cool in summer, providing a healthy learning environment for children, with good air quality in quiet classrooms.
