Streif UK has once again collaborated with Kent-based main contractor Baxall Construction to deliver of the South East’s first net zero in operation school for The Department for Education (DfE) as part of their School Rebuilding Programme. St Mary's Primary School in Deal, Kent, is a replacement single-storey, 1-Form Entry (1FE) school designed to accommodate 184 pupils across 1,242m². This pioneering project was delivered on behalf of the DfE and serves as one of the first Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCiO) schools in the South of England, setting a new benchmark for sustainable educational buildings. The Streif system was instrumental in achieving this ambitious environmental goal.

Fabric First

The DfE’s requirement for St Mary’s was not only to replace an existing school but also to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that achieved NZCiO status. This demanded a ‘fabric first’ approach, meaning ensuring high performance in terms of energy, acoustics, and fire safety, and a significantly reduced carbon footprint during construction. Traditional building methods often struggle to meet these stringent environmental and performance targets efficiently.

The Streif Solution:

Streif UK provided a fully engineered, structural timber solution that formed the core of the school’s structure. Designed in the UK, the system is a rapidly deployable, high-performance timber frame solution that delivered against the project’s critical requirements:

  • Accelerated Construction Timeline: The pre-manufactured Streif system allowed for a swift build process. Streif started on site in February 2024 and achieved handover just three months later in May 2024, significantly de-risking the main contractor’s schedule and ensuring the school could open on time in September 2024.
  • Net Zero Carbon Foundation: The ‘timber first’ approach drastically reduced the embodied carbon of the building. By eradicating the use of high CO² emissions cement and minimising steel to a few recycled and renewable components, Streif provided the low-carbon structure essential for NZCiO certification.
  • Superior Thermal Performance & Airtightness: The Streif system inherently incorporates high levels of insulation and optimises air tightness. This minimised heating demand and energy consumption for St Mary’s primary school, exceeding standard Building Regulations and providing a highly efficient thermal envelope.
  • Acoustic & Fire Safety: The fully engineered system meets the most stringent acoustic and fire strength ratings, ensuring a safe, quiet, and comfortable learning environment for pupils and staff.

End user benefits
The new school building provides an optimal learning environment with quiet classrooms, thanks to superior insulation and reduced external noise, which fosters concentration and improves educational outcomes. In addition, high thermal performance ensures a stable and comfortable indoor climate year-round, eliminating draughts and cold spots. Furthermore, the fabric-first approach supports health and wellbeing by promoting a healthier indoor environment with a focus on fresh air and efficiency. This commitment to sustainability means pupils are learning in one of the UK’s most sustainable school buildings, offering a tangible example of environmental responsibility for a future-proofed education.

Client benefits
The Streif system was fundamental to the project’s success, enabling the building to achieve Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCiO) status with zero reliance on fossil fuels, thereby meeting the DfE’s ambitious environmental targets. This highly efficient construction, combined with technologies like LED lighting, heat recovery systems, and a bio-solar roof, results in exceptionally low energy bills and reduced operating costs for the school. Furthermore, Streif’s rapid on-site phase (February 2024 – May 2024) ensured the main contractor could meet the August 2024 handover deadline, guaranteeing the school was ready for the September intake. Designed in the UK, the fully engineered timber frame system provides a high-quality, robust, long-lasting, and easily maintainable structure.

Conclusion:
St Mary’s Primary School stands as a testament to how modern methods of construction, like the Streif structural timber frame system, can deliver high-performance, sustainable, and educationally-optimised buildings on a demanding timeline. By providing the essential ‘fabric first’ foundation, Streif helped the project achieve its Net Zero Carbon in Operation goal, delivering a comfortable, healthy, and efficient school for the community of Deal, Kent.