Postcards from Green-land

Released 18/09/2008

Matthew Jane discovers innovative ideas for sustainable schools

Dear readers,

Well, didn't I have a lovely time, the day I went to Basingstoke!

Yesterday I attended a conference on improving the sustainability of school buildings.

With the new DECs being introduced in October, the impetus on schools to show their green credentials has never been greater.

The event was hosted at the Everest Community College in Basingstoke, in itself an example of effective and thoughtful design. High ceilings fall away to cascading glass walls, with an open plan feel that makes controlling temperature easier with less impact on resources.

The speakers discussed the pros and cons of various green schemes, from wind turbines to biomass boilers. Many forms of best practice were demonstrated and questions were raised on every issue, from design to creating genuinely sustainable credentials.

The underlying message seemed to be that each eco-project must be treated on its individual merits - no green glove will fit two different pairs of eco-hands. Sustainable schools must be treated individually and considered for the unique conditions that present themselves.

Roderic Bunn of the BSRIA, a previous contributor in the pages of Education Executive, showed the only truly carbon neutral school he had ever seen. The bad news - the school has been closed down and boarded up for several years, without a child passing through the doors since it was closed!

On a positive note, there were many fascinating projects and many interesting issues brought to the table, with much for me to mull over on the train back to London.

Wish you'd been there!

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