Schools and learning

Innovative eco school built in Hatfield

As you approach the new Howe Dell School in Hatfield, you can’t help but feel a shiver of excitement for what Hertfordshire’s first purpose built eco school holds inside.

The eco-theme starts as soon as you set foot through the gates: small squares of recycled glass have been set into the front driveway to give the impression of lights up the centre of a runway, in deference to the site’s former life as an airfield.

The state-of-the-art building has been commissioned by Hertfordshire County Council, project managed by Mace and designed by Capita Architecture with input from staff, pupils, parents and governors. It incorporates the latest elements of environmental sustainability and on-site renewable energy technologies, including:

outside…

• a revolutionary Interseasonal Heat Transfer system that absorbs heat from the sun via a network of pipes under the school playground, which is then stored in thermal banks beneath the school and released to heat the school in winter
• solar panels that pre-heat water for use in the school kitchens and also provide heat to the thermal banks
• photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight into electricity and help power air-conditioning units
• high performance windows to reduce heat loss
• ‘living’ sedum green roof areas helping to manage water runoff, insulate the building and promote bio diversity
• sustainably-sourced timber play equipment
• a water management system that uses recycled rainwater to flush toilets – excess water is used to top up the wet-land biodiversity area
• a soon-to-be-installed wind turbine that will generate electricity

and inside…

• the use of recycled materials such as yoghurt pots for sink tops, drainpipes for the library counter and old mobile phones as a reception desk
• roof lights and light wells that allow natural daylight to flood into the centre of the building, minimizing the need for artificial lighting
• sustainably-sourced bamboo and timber flooring in the hall and dining room
• classroom storage trays made of recyclable materials
• carpet tiles made from recycled materials

The building is linked to an easily accessible computer system that allows pupils to see how much energy is being generated and stored and how much has been exported to the National Grid.

Curriculum
Over the life of the project, the school has introduced an enriched ‘eco curriculum’ with sustainable education principles at its core. Within just a few weeks of the school opening, the curriculum had been rated as outstanding by Ofsted inspectors.

A resource for the whole community
As well as the primary school, the building also contains a children’s centre, and Hatfield Town Council have worked closely with us to build an on-site community hall.

For more information
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