Thursday 3 February 2022

Weston-Super-Mare school gets £30.5m net zero expansion

North Somerset Council has selected Kier to build a £30.5 million net zero building for a school in Weston-Super-Mare.

Winterstoke Hundred Academy will benefit from the expansion, allowing 900 more pupils to join the school and reduce its carbon emissions.

Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund will cover the costs of the project, which provides a boost to the Council’s desire to reach carbon-neutrality by 2030.

Year 7 to 11 students will be taught in the new facilities and also be provided with extra bicycle storage facilities to encourage clean transport to school.

Councillor Steve Bridger said: “I’m proud to say that the building has been designed to meet some of the top environmental standards, helping us work towards our goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030 and thinking about the future of our region as well as our young people.”

Jason Taylor, Regional Director at Kier, 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 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.”