20 Apr New Isle of Ely Primary School Opens
Pupils and staff at the Isle of Ely Primary School have now moved into their new state-of-the-art facilities on Cam Drive.
Located to the north of Ely, Cambridgeshire, in the heart of a new residential quarter, the Active Learning Trust sponsored School provides 630 pupil places with an attached 52 place Pre-School and an Out of School Club.
The design creates an inspirational learning environment within a well developed sustainable and robust building, with the provision of flexible and adaptable spaces which will meet changing educational needs.
Originally designed to be constructed in two phases, the scheme was built all as one as local demand increased.
An important feature of the design is the creation of School Square, a welcoming arrival space at the front of the School, situated off the residential quarters’ principal route.
The school’s energy demand is reduced by high levels of insulation and low air leakage. Ten percent of the remaining demand is provided by roof mounted photovoltaic cells supplying renewable energy giving reduced CO2 output.
Bryony Surtees, executive head teacher of the school, which is run by the Active Learning Trust (ALT), said: “The school looks amazing – it was well worth the wait! We had a lovely first day and everyone is settling in wonderfully.”