Frenchay Primary School

Client
South Gloucestershire Council
Contractor
Value
£10.4m
Completion Date
28 September 2022

The Challenge

The project needed to replace an existing school while responding to rapidly increasing demand for school places in the local area. It was also one of South Gloucestershire Council’s flagship responses to its Climate Emergency, requiring BAM to deliver a highly energy-efficient building while maintaining rigorous Passivhaus quality requirements. The project was constructed on the former Frenchay Hospital site and required careful consideration of the surrounding woodland and local community.

The Solution

BAM used its experience in Passivhaus education projects to deliver a high-performance timber-framed building with triple glazing, high levels of insulation, air-source heat pumps, MVHR and photovoltaic panels. Digital modelling and 4D planning were used to support delivery. The project team also engaged with the school community, including visits from pupils during construction, helping children understand how the building was being created and the principles behind its environmental performance.

BAM and the project team also worked with the local Frenchay Residents’ Association to improve a nearby pond and picnic area as a community legacy initiative.

The Results

The new school opened in September 2022, providing capacity for 420 pupils in a modern, low-carbon learning environment.

The project became South Gloucestershire’s first Passivhaus school and provides a strong demonstration of BAM’s ability to combine educational requirements, sustainability and high-performance construction

Apprentices

8/10

Client Satisfaction

Contractor Performance | Commitments

Sustainability

Passivhaus; triple glazing; high insulation; air-source heat pumps; MVHR; solar PV; zero fossil-fuel consumption.

Decarbonisation: EPC A rating, DEC B rating

Aftercare

Passivhaus commissioning, certification and handover; user/operational considerations

Legacy

Pupil site visits and community pond/picnic-area improvement.

Worked closely with SEETEC to support programme to support with employability skills post – COVID.

Safe

Safe construction alongside developing residential/community area; logistics and construction sequencing; Passivhaus quality/airtightness controls