Contractor appointed for net-zero academy

Kier has been appointed by North Somerset Council and Cabot Learning Federation to deliver a new £30.5M net-zero carbon building for Winterstoke Hundred Academy in Weston-Super-Mare.

The new school building, funded by Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, will be an expansion of the Winterstoke Hundred Academy and will provide 900 new pupil places when complete.

Procured through the Southern Construction Framework, the expansion supports North Somerset Council’s commitment to make North Somerset carbon neutral by 2030 and the three-storey 80,000m² building has been designed to achieve Net-Zero Carbon in operation, a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating and have a 10% biodiversity net gain.

The new school facilities are expected to cater for years 7 to 11 and include onsite energy generation to help reduce carbon emissions and a recycling centre, as well as extra bike storage to provide pupils with a sustainable option of cycling to school.

Jason Taylor, Regional Director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “North Somerset Council and Cabot Learning Foundation have a clear vision to provide sustainable educational buildings and we are delighted they have appointed us to deliver the expansion at Winterstoke Hundred Academy.

“We share their vision and passion and, through our Building for a Sustainable World commitments at Kier, we will create a new net-zero building with clear environmental benefits as well as offer employment and training opportunities to the local community as part of our social value commitments.”

The works are expected to be complete by summer 2023.