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Education - Bishop Ramsey School, Ruislip

1 - Climate Change and Energy

Within the UK central government has an overarching target to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 60% by 2050 based on 1990 levels and by at least 26% by 2020. With this in mind, projects such as the Bishop Ramsey School are an excellent example of how we can play our part to help realise these targets.

A bespoke range of sustainability features were adopted at the Bishop Ramsey School to optimise both the energy efficiency of the scheme and the buildings overall sustainability credentials. The building was built to a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good' and utilised a range of sustainable technologies. These technologies included ground source heat pumps, natural ventilation via passivent, solar heating and a 2,426m2 extensive green roof system that attracts an array of species that would otherwise not be found on a conventional roof finish.

2 - Education and Community

Working within a school community allowed for the incorporation of other sustainability initiatives most notably through provision of additional learning resources for students. Two readout panels were provided for the purpose of monitoring and calculating energy consumption and to demonstrate the energy contribution made by the ground source heat pump and solar thermal collectors. This awareness raising exercise for both students and staff is an essential and complimentary factor in the success of the design and construction at Bishop Ramsey School

3 - Resource Efficiency

A successful outcome of Rydon's approach to environmental management arose from the opportunity to improve the use of materials within the construction phase. As an example, to re - level the existing playing fields to achieve Sport England's requirements, spoil was used from other construction activities. This simple measure gave several environmental benefits to the local community through less inconvenience resulting from noise and traffic and reduced air pollution associated with transport movements. Other resource efficiency measures include the re-use of materials as sub-base under parking areas.

Such efficient use of materials not only saved costs but also avoided significant impacts from the unnecessary transport and use of new materials; and delivered a significant reduction of waste to landfill.

Furthermore, an A rating in the Green Guide to Specification was achieved for 80% of the floor finishes, 80% of the roof finish and 80% of the combined area of external hard landscaping and boundary protection specifications.