Ysgol Pen Coch: Flint

Ysgol Pen Coch is a new build Special Educational Needs primary school designed to accommodate children with learning difficulties. The design of the school was undertaken by Flintshire County Council Design Consultancy and the contract procured through a single construction partnering arrangement.

The construction of the school was concurrent with the new build of a secondary school also in Flint, constructed under one contract. The decision to build the two schools originated from a fundamental review of Special Educational Needs in Flintshire. The brief required that each school should be physically linked to an existing mainstream school and be in the same town.

The school is a single storey, steel-framed building with an exterior of decorative rendered masonry and proprietary cladding plus an insulated metal roof. The principal accommodation features classrooms, therapy suite, sensory suite, hydrotheraphy pool, library and ICT room and multi-purpose hall and dining area.

During the project, Wynne Construction adopted the principles of site waste management and participated in the WRAP and Considerate Constructors Schemes. The project was able to meet current Welsh Assembly objectives, which aim to have less than 10% of all waste going to landfill.

A number of key sustainability features are incorporated into the school to include PV cells and solar thermal panels on the roof, occupancy sensing for lighting, water leakage control and water efficient sanitary fittings, building management systems, optimization of natural ventilation and daylight and sustainable urban drainage system. Associated works included a grass block parking area and landscaping.