Buckinghamshire’s first ‘Net Zero Carbon in Operation’ school on schedule for completion

The school complex, which sits within the Kingsbrook housing development in Aylesbury, will be open to pupils in September this year (the school opened in September 2025 initially based on the Kingsbrook View Primary Academy site). The school which will be run by the Inspiring Futures Partnership Trust will offer 420 primary places with 60 nursery places and a 12-place SEND facility for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The design of the school has been planned so that it can be expanded from a two to a three-form entry in the future, should there be sufficient demand.

A ‘Net Zero Carbon in Operation’ school is one where no fossil fuels are used to operate the building for functions including heating, cooling and lighting.

The building will incorporate energy efficiency measures within its design. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) have been used externally which improve the building’s ability to retain heat and boosts its efficiency levels. Heating will be provided by air source heat pumps, which will also be used to generate most of the hot water within the kitchen. A photovoltaic panel array is proposed to be mounted on the building roofs, to generate electricity. Additionally green roofs will provide vegetation for insulation, cooling, and direct carbon absorption, significantly cutting energy needed for heating/cooling, while also managing stormwater and boosting biodiversity.

The school is being built by Morgan Sindall Construction who were appointed by the Council following a competitive tender process. Morgan Sindall also constructed the two other schools on the site, Kingsbrook View Primary Academy which opened in September 2021 and The Kingsbrook School which opened in September 2022.

Carl Jackson, Cabinet Member for Education & Children’s Services said: “Orchard View Primary Academy will be the third new educational establishment on the thriving Kingsbrook development, providing school places for local families now and into the future. Pupils will benefit from superb facilities in a modern and welcoming environment which also makes brilliant use of new technology to be very energy efficient.”

Emma Curtis, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Northern Home Counties, said: “We were delighted to celebrate this milestone moment in the Orchard View Academy’s construction with Buckinghamshire Council and the Inspiring Futures Partnership Trust as well as with the teachers and pupils who will make this school their home. This project revolves around creating an inspiring, supportive, and sustainable learning environment that’s tailored to the local community, making it something the whole team is incredibly proud of.”

Jon Mason is Chief Executive Officer of the Inspiring Futures Partnership Trust, he said: “Inspiring Futures Partnership Trust is incredibly proud and excited to be working in partnership with both Buckinghamshire Council and Morgan Sindall in designing, constructing and equipping a brand new, state of art primary academy to serve the expanding Kingsbrook population. This impressive building will provide an aspirational learning environment where children will flourish socially and academically for generations to come.”