Orchard Grove primary school reaches an important milestone in the school’s journey
The eventual 420-place primary, costing £7.3 million is set to become Somerset’s first net zero carbon school, and only the third ‘passivhaus’ school in the southwest.
It will serve the Orchard Grove housing development in Comeytrowe to meet the expected demand for school spaces and will be sponsored by The Castle Partnership Trust following Government approval.
Construction on the school is due to start in Summer 2022 with delivery planned for the start of the 2023/24 academic year.
At first, the school will offer up to 30 reception places and, depending on demand, a mixed Year 1/Year 2 class from September 2023.
Councillor Clare Paul, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Public Health, has told Tone News:
I am pleased that our recommendation of The Castle School Partnership Trust has been approved.
This paves the way for another new school for children in Somerset and it’s exciting to see plans for this to be the county’s first carbon neutral school building.
The Orchard Grove primary school fits squarely with the County Council’s ambitious plans to reduce Somerset’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.
Somerset County Council has appointed Futures for Somerset to deliver the project, which has been designed by architect firm Stride Treglown to minimise any environmental impact in line with Somerset County Council’s commitment to make Somerset carbon neutral by 2030.
