Practice (Reading, translation, speaking)
How did the idea come about to make Langley Academy a sustainable project?
Sustainability is very close to the heart of our sponsors and was always going to be key when they teamed up with architects of organization Foster and Partners to begin designing the building. Just as the building is sustainable, so sustainability features throughout the fabric or structures within the academy. For example, one of the six vertical houses is named Gaia (mother earth) and the academy aimed to develop the theme of sustainability so that it is embedded in all aspects of the curriculum to enhance the standards attained and to improve students' motivation. We are of the belief that education is not just about examination results but a holistic experience which should enable students to thrive in an ever-changing world. It's not just the building that is sustainable; we want our students to be able to sustain themselves.
A ground source heat pump system uses renewable energy from the earth and stored energy from the buildings heating and cooling cycles, making the most of the academy's geo-energy potential. The energy produced from this is used to fully heat our atrium and restaurant floor. We have 21 solar panels on the roof which can collect between 50% and 70% of the academy's annual energy usage for hot water. Solar panels also provide the street lighting outside the building. The building itself has been designed to illustrate sustainability, for example, by being built with external wood cladding from a sustainable source.
How aware are the students of the sustainability of the school - have you created a band of 'eco warriors'?
We have an eco council and have gained a Silver Eco School`s award and are working towards our Green Flag award. Students are now leading the way in terms of recycling and are holding the adults to account.
In the first year students from the eco council led other students in co-ordinating the planting of daffodils along the driveway. The eco warriors have encouraged staff and students to consider the way they look at their environment. They ask that we alter our perception of what is aesthetically pleasing. Well manicured lawns do not promote nature and they have drawn posters to persuade staff and management that we should consider a area of set aside to encourage wildlife. We are considering their request.