UK Ministers visit South Point Primary
Politicians from three UK Governments have visited South Point Primary school to learn more about Wales’ first net carbon zero school
Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Lis Burnett welcomed Rebecca Evans MS/AS, Welsh Government Minister for Finance and Local Government; Kate Forbes MSP, Scottish Parliament Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy; and Conor Murphy MLA, Minister of Finance for the Legislative Assembly for Northern Ireland, to the school on Wednesday.
Work on the £5.4 million project was completed in February and teaching began at the state-of-the-art facility shortly afterwards.
Its revolutionary design means greenhouse gas emissions are greatly reduced and any remaining emissions offset, neutralising the school’s environmental impact. The building has been designed to achieve net-zero carbon through improved building fabric, maximising solar gain, increased photovoltaic panels with battery storage and an air source heat pump.
There is significant outdoor space for play and sport activities and storage for push bikes and scooters to help promote active travel.
The school also has electric vehicle charging points, green habitat areas containing flowers and trees within the grounds to improve ecology, a playground and a multi-use games area.
Contractors ISG construction began work on the school, which has capacity for 210 pupils and 48 part-time nursery places, in January last year.
Teaching will take place in classrooms across two storeys, while the design also includes a main hall for sport and dining, offices, a staffroom and breakout areas.
This work is part of the Council’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, a long-term improvement scheme, delivered in partnership with Welsh Government, that will see £135 million invested to deliver top-class facilities and ultra-modern learning environments.
Cllr Burnett said: “I was delighted to welcome visitors from around the Country to South Point Primary to showcase this trailblazing school.
“This new school building provides a modern teaching and learning environment for staff and pupils as well as a range of facilities for the local community.
“The Council has made a climate commitment through our Project Zero initiative, which aims to make the organisation carbon neutral by 2030.
“Delivering schools like this which are extremely environmentally friendly is a key part of that pledge.
“This is a major project in our Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, a major partnership with Welsh Government which is transforming education facilities across the Vale.”