Leicester welcomes one of the UK’s first net zero carbon in operation secondary schools
One of the UK’s first net zero carbon in operation secondary schools has opened in Leicester at the new Brook Mead Academy site.
The school is the very first secondary school of its kind in the East Midlands, setting a new standard for more sustainable school infrastructure.
The school building is equipped with solar panels, air source heat pumps, and a natural ventilation system, meaning that the school can operate without fossil fuels for heating or cooking. Its high levels of energy efficiency, combined with on-site renewable power, allow the building to offset its greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the most environmentally-friendly school buildings in the country.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the ventilation systems also provide students and staff with consistently fresh and filtered air, supporting wellbeing and improving indoor air quality.
Brook Mead Academy now offers some of the best educational facilities in the region. Alongside modern classrooms, a stunning library in the middle of the building that can be viewed from any floor, multiple music rooms and a drama studio, and state-of-the-art design and technology spaces, students will also benefit from outstanding sports provision. This includes a full-size all-weather pitch that is suitable for adult eleven-a-side games, several multipurpose sports halls, and specialist studios capable of hosting everything from basketball to ballet. Plans are also in place to open up certain facilities for use by the wider Leicester community.
We are thrilled to have such a magnificent building, which matches the ambition we have for our students. We feel privileged to serve the community in West Leicester and the city and county more widely. We know that education has the power to transform lives; with our committed and talented staff team, we are poised to indeed build better futures.”
Rita Hindocha
Principal at Brook Mead Academy
The interior design of the building uses a biophilic colour scheme. This means that it has natural tones, textures, and patterns, inspired by the outdoors, throughout each area of the building to create a calming environment that supports wellbeing, learning, and connection to nature.
Working with the expert design and construction team from Wates Construction, we gave a great deal of thought to every aspect of design, movement through the building, furniture and the colour scheme to create an optimum learning environment. Our students and staff love the colour scheme and say that it is promoting calmness and focus and instilling pride in our surroundings. The design team quickly tuned into the surrounding greenery of a previously brownfield site and sought to reflect the colours in the surrounding mature trees which encircle the building.”
Rita Hindocha
Principal at Brook Mead Academy
Before construction could begin, 88,000 tonnes of earth had to be removed to level the site, which has a mile-long perimeter. Due to its size, the building is formed from two distinct frames joined by a central movement joint. The scale of the project meant that, at the height of construction, 160 workers were on site each day – and the project has led to permanent employment for some who’ve been taken on by local contractors and suppliers involved with the build. We were appointed by the Department for Education to deliver the project.
We’re proud to have played a key role in this transformative project. Brook Mead Academy stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved by working in close collaboration to deliver a shared vision. The school not only meets ambitious sustainability targets, but also offers a vibrant, inclusive environment where young people are inspired to learn and empowered to thrive.”
David Wingfield
Managing Director of Construction East at Wates Construction
The opening of Brook Mead Academy marks a major milestone in sustainable school design, supporting the Department for Education’s ambition to reduce the carbon footprint of the UK’s school estate while providing world-class learning environments for future generations. For students and staff at Brook Mead Academy it also represents the start of an exciting new chapter – learning, teaching, and thriving in a modern space that is inspiring, and built with both their future, and the planet’s future, in mind.
