Three new net zero carbon schools to be built – with design help from school pupils

Education and Welsh Language Minister Jeremy Miles has today (Friday March 24^th) announced three new net zero carbon schools will be built, one in north Wales, one in south-west Wales and a third in south-east Wales.

The Minister’s Sustainable Schools Challenge invited bids for innovative projects which demonstrated collaboration with local communities, including school pupils, in the design, delivery and management of the schools. Originally two winners were set to be announced, but given the high calibre of entries the Minister has agreed funding for three new sustainable schools – a capital investment of £44.7m for all three projects.

Ysgol Bontnewydd and Community Centre will be zero carbon in operation, using recycled materials from two buildings on site that are due to be demolished, and source construction materials as close as possible to the site, including timber and sheep wool insulation.

Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Rhosafan will be a new Welsh language primary school and will include a Welsh Immersion unit, delivering a range of educational and community services that will be provided by the Council, partner organisations and by local voluntary organisations.

The new primary school to serve the Glyn-Coch community will include green roofs, rain gardens and nature based solutions to surface water management and create an educational, wellbeing and civic hub under one roof. It will provide an active learning zone to teach engineering principles, ecology and land management, with an allotment on site.