The construction of the region’s first net zero school has marked a major milestone.
A ceremonial steel signing event has been held at Lakenheath Primary School, with local councillors, members of the project team and the school gathering to mark the occasion.
Cllr Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Suffolk County Council, said: “Suffolk County Council is proud to be delivering its first school in Suffolk that will be net zero in operation, as we prepare to move the existing school to its new, larger site.
“The next year is an exciting journey for the pupils of Lakenheath Primary, who are following the build process with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) days at their school with the Pentaco and Concertus teams, to give them real life learning experiences of the construction industry.”
The development of Lakenheath Primary and Pre-School will meet a rising demand for early and primary years education, which has been driven by the increased housing developments in the area.
Once complete, the school will become the first net zero in operation primary school in the region.
The new 420-place school will feature state-of-the-art leisure and sporting facilities, as well as hard and soft landscaped outside play areas. The school will also feature a brand new 30-place nursery on site.
Michael Tingey, Headteacher at Lakenheath Community School, said: “It’s fantastic to see the building project starting to come together after years of planning.
“We’re working closely with the local authority and contractors to ensure the best possible learning environment for our children.
“We can’t wait to move into our new, modern, sustainable building next September.”
Procured through the Suffolk Construction and Building Services Framework, design and property consultants Concertus appointed Pentaco Construction in June, with work beginning on site in July 2025.
Charles Coulson, Associate Director at Concertus, said: “We are pleased to be working closely with the Council and the existing school to design their first net zero school.
“Having been involved since the inception stages, we have overcome many acoustic challenges due to its proximity to the RAF Lakenheath airbase.
“We are immensely proud of our team for creating an incredibly innovative school that sets a new standard for educational facilities across the region.”
The building is located within the site’s southwest corner and features an L-shaped design that maximises natural light while minimising solar gain and overheating.
The design prioritises accessibility, flexibility and sustainability, employing modern technology to support both current and future educational needs through a fabric-first approach.
Key features include both ground source and air source heat pumps, LED lighting and triple glazing to reduce energy waste.
The roof-mounted photovoltaic system has been optimised and paired with modular battery storage to maximise the use of free energy, with smart integrated controls in place to prevent excess energy usage.
In line with the school’s motto, “Learn, Create, Progress, Succeed”, the team recently hosted an interactive STEM event where pupils participated in five sessions focused on problem-solving, creativity and collaboration.
Andrew Grady, Managing Director at Pentaco Construction, said: “We are incredibly proud to be delivering Suffolk County Council’s first net zero in operation school, a project that reflects our shared commitment to sustainable development.
“Reaching this key milestone highlights the strength of collaboration and technical expertise across the entire project team.
“We remain focused on delivering a high-quality build, ensuring the design intent is fully realised and creating an inspiring learning environment for generations to come.”
Due to open in September 2026, the new school seeks to create an inspiring, sustainable and adaptable educational environment.