How ‘Fabric First’ is Transforming Sutton Coldfield Grammar: A Path to Sustainable School Estates
Warneford Consulting and their sustainability consortium debated the features and benefits of adopting a “fabric first” strategy with their client Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls and how this approach integrated building condition needs and the route to decarbonising the school’s estate.
Tim Warneford argued that the new government has an opportunity to improve the coordination of funding streams and deliver targeted outcomes and thus secure better returns on investment.
Doug Thorp, Director of Estates at Sutton Coldfield for Girls Grammar School provided the client voice and an insight into the transformation of the school’s estate as a result of adopting a “fabric first” estates strategy.
Steve Bolt, BCR Associates, made clear the importance of energy brokers being informed of their client’s decarbonisation strategy when going out to market to procure utility contracts to ensure cost savings are not lost as a result through selection of an inappropriate contract.
James Smurthwaite, Green Net Zero, reiterated the cost and carbon savings achieved through a “fabric first” policy of addressing a building envelope and explaining that once a building is weathertight and insulated, the options for installing renewable energy technologies such as air/ground source heat pumps are increased to include cost savings and not just carbon reduction.
Dr John Whittle, MyCarbon, gave an insight into the process of supporting Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls complete their application for a Climate Action Plan, which all schools must have in place by 2025 and how they have an opportunity to reduce their carbon emissions and simultaneously, their energy costs.
Tim said –
“The Education Estates Conference, held in Manchester each October, is the one event Warneford Consulting will always exhibit it and sponsor.
Now in its 11th year, this year’s one was the best attended and dare I say, the best organised.
The conference brings together schools, colleges and universities and seeks to share best practice and wherever possible with the client’s voice four-square and centre.
This year also saw a keynote speech from Stephen Morgan MP and whose attendance was enormously valued by all.”
Warneford Consulting favour sponsoring events on the conference fringe and this year their chosen subject was “Fabric First” and the cited case study was Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls.
2025 will see the conference floor expand yet further and Warneford have already booked their stand and are already exploring another key subject for inclusion on their next roundtable event.
