Redhill Church of England Primary School, Worcestershire

Primary school adapts for climate change through sustainable design.

Children playing in the grounds of Redhill C of E Primary School. Photo by Ashley Bingham and Mark Ellis, A&M Photography.

Redhill C of E Primary School occupied a building constructed in the 1960s and was due to be replaced. Worcester County Council decided that this should contribute to their principle of ‘living within environmental limits’, so the new building both adapts to the effects of climate change and reduces emissions of greenhouse gases.

Adaptation measures

The new building adapts to climate change threats such as:

• Warmer weather
  The building has been designed to reduce the risk of mould growth during milder and more humid winters. For example, vulnerable areas such as toilets and showers are well ventilated and passive ventilation cools the building in summer
• Wetter winters
  The new design includes a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) as the school site is at risk of flooding.
• Drier summers
  A rainwater harvesting scheme stores water beneath the playground which is used for flushing toilets.

Mitigation measures

The new building reduces emissions of greenhouse gases by using:

• Ground source heating
  This feeds an underfloor system and reduces the school’s reliance on fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change.
• Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
  WRAP reviewed the building specification to find opportunities for using recycled materials in construction and minimising waste.

Education and awareness raising

An artist worked with pupils during the design stage to create work that reflected sustainability and environmental issues. The sustainable drainage and rainwater harvesting schemes are used as educational tools to support teaching.

Read the full CABE case study for Redhill C of E Primary School.

More about adaptation and mitigation measures

Coping with extreme weather

Public spaces should be proactively designed to adapt to a changing climate.

Future-proofing energy demands

Interventions made now could be undone by future changes in lifestyle and climate. That means a degree of future proofing of energy and building strategies is required.

Sustainable drainage systems (SUDS)

Surface water drainage systems which are established with overarching sustainable development objectives are referred to as Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS).

Ground and air generated heat

The ground and air around a development site can be used as a source of heat for new buildings via a heat pump.

Tags: energy, water, buildings and spaces