A Caerphilly county borough school is a shining example of sustainability in the 21st Century, after it achieved the highest energy rating score for any school across England and Wales.
A brand new building replacing the existing Greenhill Primary School in Gelligaer has achieved an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating score of A+, which no other school across the whole of the UK has been able to achieve to date.
Cllr Colin Mann, Deputy Leader of Council and Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance, Procurement and Sustainability said, “I am delighted that Caerphilly County Borough Council is once again leading the way, not only in Wales but across the whole UK in ensuring sustainable, energy efficient buildings which will be fit for purpose for generations to come”.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) score is a Carbon Dioxide emissions-based index on an A+ to G scale. It is based on calculations of regulated energy use such as heating, hot water, cooling, ventilation and light, the thermal properties of the building and the source of the energy used.
The new Greenhill Primary School features a highly insulated external envelope, four wind turbines to take advantage of the school’s elevated location and a large array of photovoltaic panels, which will turn daylight into electricity.
In fact, more electricity will be generated on or within the school than the school will actually use and the surplus will be exported to the grid. Rainwater will also be harvested and will be used to flush toilets, and over half of the water used by the school will be recycled.
Not only will the school be very economical to run, but teaching areas will also be easy to maintain at optimum temperature and well ventilated when required, therefore providing a pleasant teaching and learning environment.
Cllr Mann continued, “Our commitment to ensuring sustainability and energy efficiency across Caerphilly county borough remains steadfast, and this brand new building for the pupils of Greenhill Primary School shows just what can be achieved with attention to energy matters.”
The existing Greenhill Primary School building has an energy rating of F.
Cllr Phil Bevan, Cabinet Member for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning said, “I greatly look forward to seeing the pupils of Greenhill Primary School settle into their brand new school after Easter and enjoy all the benefits that such an energy efficient building will bring”.
The brand new school building for Greenhill Primary School is coming to fruition thanks to a £4million Welsh Assembly Government grant.
Education Minister, Leighton Andrews said: “The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to ensuring that every child in Wales is educated in an environment that is conducive to learning for the 21st Century.
“This commitment is reflected in an investment of £4 million by the Welsh Assembly Government to deliver a brand new eco-friendly school.
“The new Greenhill Primary is a modern, sustainable, 21st Century School and an excellent example of what is being achieved here in Wales.”
The pupils of Greenhill Primary School are expected to move into their brand new school building after the Easter holidays, with an official opening planned for May.
