Glebe Meadows development in Milton Keynes will provide over 2700 homes, therefore a need was identified for an accessible school for all, with the infrastructure to support a brand-new community. With aligned visions for a sustainable, carbon-free future, Milton Keynes Council, ‘Inspiring Futures Through Learning’, and Morgan Sindall Construction had the ambition to create the first ‘all through’ fossil free school for Milton Keynes.
The whole site has been designed to have a minimal impact on the environment with the school being ‘gas free’, removed from the ‘gas grid’. Glebe Farm uses air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) which absorb heat from the outside air, providing all the energy needed for air and hot water, and even extends as far as electric Bunsen burners in the classrooms. All lighting comes from ultra-efficient LEDs, whilst hundreds of solar panels generate power for the building. 840 trees, donated by the Woodland Trust, have been planted on the grounds.
One of the exciting features of this project was the close collaboration from day one of the design and build project between Milton Keynes City Council, as the commissioner of the school, IFtL, as the appointed multi-academy trust to run the school, and the Northern Home Counties business at Morgan Sindall Construction. Together, they created the vision for a fully integrated all-through school (under one roof), whilst considering how the sustainable credentials would be maximised during the build and throughout its operation as a school for years to come.
Three Winning Facts:
- Sustainability drive – A forward-thinking client who’s values on sustainability aligned with those of Morgan Sindall, designing and building Glebe Farm School to be as future-proofed and sustainable as possible. The result was Milton Keynes’ first all-through fossil free school, saving 40 tonnes of CO2 each operational year!
- Green innovations at construction stage exceeded best practice guidelines and set the standard for future projects.
- Numerous innovations for a carbon free future used on Glebe Farm School to make this an exemplar in the building of new school. It has become a best practice case study within the industry.
