A brand new all-through school in the parish of Wavendon in the south east of Milton Keynes welcomed its first pupils this week.
Glebe Farm School, part of the Inspiring Futures through Learning (IFtL) multi-academy trust, has opened its doors to 250 children and this will eventually rise to over 1,530 pupils.
As an all-through school, children can enter at reception and stay all the way through to Year 11. There is also a 39-place full-time equivalent nursery.
Sarah Bennett, Chief Executive of IFtL, said: “Glebe Farm School has already started on its journey shaping the future through its innovative and sustainable design and build. We are delighted that our doors are now open and we are excited and privileged to build the futures of all our young people, families, community and colleagues together.
“This is a school for everyone, and the local community will be able to enjoy its sports facilities, including indoor courts and outdoor pitches which can be accessed via a separate community entrance. We fully expect that Glebe Farm School will become a valuable space for community events. I would like to thank everyone who has made our vision of this school a reality and the inspirational school team that will continue its journey.”
Since 2015, Milton Keynes City Council has opened six new schools and expanded 22 others, creating thousands of new local school places. The council is well on track to be carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon negative by 2025, and in each case planners, architects and builders have aimed to have a positive impact on the environment by using clever designs and new, greener technologies.
Billed as Milton Keynes’ first fossil-free new build school, Glebe Farm School is ‘gas free’. Instead, air source heat pumps which absorb heat from the outside air provide all the energy needed for air and hot water. All lighting comes from ultra-efficient LEDs whilst hundreds of solar panels generate power for the building.
Energy-saving technology such as zero carbon site hoarding and an onsite solar powered generator were employed during the construction, minimising any impacts on the local environment. 840 trees, donated by the Woodland Trust, have been planted on the grounds. The school was funded and developed by Milton Keynes City Council.
