Redmoor Academy Opens Ultra Sustainable ‘Amazing Building’

Redmoor Academy in Hinckley, Leicestershire hosted a grand opening for their new two-storey ultra-efficient “Schoolhaus” building.

The building forms the academy’s Business and Enterprise Centre: with 8 classrooms, a meeting space, toilets, offices and a study area for students; housing the maths department, business studies, and CEIAG (Careers, Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance) programme and enterprise initiatives.

Built by UK Energy Partners and Net Zero Buildings, the new centre was officially declared open by local politicians; The Worshipful, the Mayor of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Councillor Richard Allen and David Tredinnick MP, Member of Parliament for Bosworth.

Congratulations to the school and of course UK Energy Partners on such a great building

Mayor Allen said: “When I was in school in the 1960s there were no energy efficient buildings. It is brilliant to see innovations such as this. Congratulations to the school and of course UK Energy Partners on such a great building.”

Redmoor Academy is an oversubscribed secondary academy which needed to expand its capacity to accommodate more pupils. The academy turned to Schoolhaus for their solution; increasing their capacity, and allowing energy savings.

With limited capital budgets for new or replacement buildings, the new Business and Enterprise Centre was funded by UK Energy Partners on a 7-year operating lease.

Mr Tredinnick MP said, “This is a very important improvement for the school giving them an energy neutral building and a manageable financial package.”

Schoolhaus is an appealing solution for schools with its funding options, and minimal ongoing utilities and maintenance costs, in addition to the energy generation from Schoolhaus’ solar PV roof and key features: state-of-the-art Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR), LED lights and occupancy and motion sensors controlling both lighting and heating; all powered by the building’s solar PV roof.

Aesthetically appealing, cost efficient and environmentally sound, the students and staff at Redmoor Academy look forward to enjoying the many benefits of their new Business and Enterprise Centre.

Peter Johnston, Chief Executive Officer, UK Energy Partners said: “My highlight of the day was a presentation given by eight of the school’s students about why everyone should build net zero buildings – real advocates of carbon reduction! It was rewarding that much of the presentation stemmed from our factory visit these pupils undertook back in November and further demonstrated the benefit of that type of engagement.”

Jane Sulley, Redmoor Academy, Business Manager said: “Just an amazing building! That’s the only word I can use to describe!”

Andrew Coombs, Redmoor Academy, Principal said: “I would like to thank UK Energy Partners and Net Zero Buildings who have been incredible to us. We really appreciate the way they have worked with us, especially inviting our students to the factory and helping to get the building open on time.

We are really pleased with the building. Students and staff have been blown away by our new facilities. When you compare this to our main school building you cannot compare the technology and reduced running costs.

The quality is fantastic – as a teaching area I do not think you can better what we have here with our new build.”