THE youngest pupils at Benedict’s School, Ealing, moved into their new junior school building this term.

 

Nominated for a Royal Institute of British Architects award, the extension to the independent (ages 3-18) school has been designed with nursery and pre-prep children in mind.

 

Classrooms can be opened up to provide larger spaces for team-teaching and shared learning. There are also plenty of small, cosy spaces for quiet activities and one-to-one teaching, a home economics room and direct access to landscaped outdoor learning and play areas.

 

All classrooms are south-facing for good natural light and have views across to Ealing Abbey.

 

It is also eco-friendly, having been built to a set of energy requirements known as ‘Passivhaus.’ This is a sustainable construction method devised in Scandinavia which maximises energy-efficiency.

 

There are currently only a h andful of schools in the UK built to the standard.

 

Passivhaus buildings have timber frames which are air tight and super-insulated, and can be up to 96% more energy efficient than older school buildings.

 

Air quality and temperature are maintained by using heat recovery ventilation - different to conventional heating systems because fresh air from outside passes through a heat exchanger.

 

St Benedict’s head  Andrew Johnson said: “The new classroom spaces are inspiring places for our youngest pupils to learn, providing the best possible start to their education here.”