The new development of Islington's Highbury Grove School site has been shortlisted for an award recognising its environmentally sustainable credentials in the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.<br><br>The first 'Excellence in BSF Awards' will be held this month, to celebrate achievements in all areas of the national programme. Islington is one of 19 local authorities across England to have been shortlisted for an award and one of only two to be selected in the Most Sustainable School category. <br><br>Many aspects of the Highbury Grove and Samuel Rhodes development make it a suitable contender for the award. Low energy consumption and low carbon production are at the core of the site's design which will reduce CO2 emissions by twenty per cent through the use of onsite renewable technology. The sustainable design incorporates earth tubes, combined heat and power, green roofs and solar shading to prevent the sun from excessively heating the building. <br><br>A number of water saving devices have been incorporated into the schools' design, including rainwater harvesting which will collect at least fifty per cent of rainfall on the roof. This water can then be used for toilet flushing and site irrigation. Pupils will be encouraged to engage with the sustainable features of the school and will be able to watch digital displays that monitor the energy generation of the wind turbine. Extra insulation will be provided by the green roofs, which will also prevent excess rainwater putting pressure on local drainage systems.<br><br>As part of Islington's £140 million Building Schools for the Future programme, being undertaken by Transform Islington, Highbury Grove School is being almost completely re-built. By 2010, students will have access to state-of-the-art buildings and facilities. They will share dining and sports facilities with the secondary department of Samuel Rhodes School, which is being co-located onto the Highbury Grove site and caters for children with moderate learning difficulties.<br><br>Islington Council's Executive Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ursula Woolley said: "All of our local schools can contribute towards making Islington greener. Highbury Grove School is one of the first in Islington to be redeveloped and it's proof of how being careful about the environment is built into every day school life for young people in Islington. I'm looking forward to seeing the new sustainable Highbury Grove and Samuel Rhodes up and running, with children enjoying the fantastic, modern, green buildings they deserve."<br><br>As well as first class teaching facilities, the new Highbury Grove School will offer specialist areas for science and design technology, business enterprise, ICT, performance and art, sports, and catering. Many of the new school facilities will be opened up for community use at the end of the school day and during weekends.<br><br>Henry Jones, associate headteacher of Highbury Grove, who has responsibility for the BSF work taking place at the school said: "I'm delighted that the sustainable design for the new school has been recognised in this awards shortlist. The new buildings will bring great improvements for the students at Highbury Grove and will encourage them to learn more about ways of leading environmentally friendly lives. We've been working closely with Transform Schools and Islington Council on the building work. The staff and the students are really looking forward to making use of the new facilities."<br><br>Judges including representatives from the design community, construction industry, students and BSF delivery partners, will decide on the winners from all categories and present the awards on 26 November. <br><br><br>ENDS.<br><br><br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009