BAM completes £58.3m Passivhaus schools in South Gloucestershire

BAM has handed over the new Lyde Green Primary and Secondary Schools in South Gloucestershire, completing a £58.3m education project ahead of opening to pupils in September.

Delivered for South Gloucestershire Council, the development comprises a 420-place primary school and a 900-place secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 16.

The schools are the largest in England to be designed and built to Passivhaus standards, with the project targeting significantly reduced energy demand and lower long-term running costs.

Funding includes almost £24m from South Gloucestershire Council and more than £34.3m from the Department for Education through the Free Schools Programme.

The buildings incorporate a highly insulated envelope, triple-glazed windows, all-electric heating, photovoltaic panels and specialist ventilation systems.

A cross-laminated timber frame has also been used to support airtightness, thermal performance and the wider sustainability strategy.

The primary school will be operated by Castle School Education Trust, while the secondary school will be run by Olympus Academy Trust.

With construction now complete, the final fit-out will take place over the summer ahead of the first pupils arriving in September 2026.