Upskilling the next generation at Whipman Woods
Client: Arc Partnership (on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council)
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Sector: Education
Framework: SCAPE Construction
Social value: £3.2m
Sustainability: 649 tonnes of carbon saved
“This transformation of this project goes beyond bricks and mortar. It’s about creating a space where young people can thrive, learn, and connect with one another. The volunteers commitment to this project has been nothing short of inspiring. Not only have they honed their construction skills, but they’ve also breathed new life into the heart of our community.”
Katie Booth
Project Manager of Volunteer it Yourself
Whipman Woods Flying High Academy is a new build primary school that has embedded ambitions carbon-reduction strategies and meaningful youth engagement at the heart of its delivery.
The £9.7m school project in Nottinghamshire provided Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, with a unique opportunity to reimagine a proven school design with carbon reduction at its core.
Benefitting from early contractor collaboration through the SCAPE Construction framework, the project teams combined modern construction methods with an intelligent carbon reduction tool, successfully eliminating 649 tonnes of CO₂e from the original design and enabling the school to achieve Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCiO).
Completed on time, within budget, and with a 10/10 client satisfaction score, the project sets a benchmark for local authorities seeking to deliver low-carbon schools. Additionally, through hands-on involvement in a local youth centre renovation, the scheme generated 33% social value, giving local young people practical industry experience, skills development and renewed confidence.
Achieving Net Zero Carbon in Operation
Morgan Sindall Construction was appointed by Arc Partnership to deliver Whipman Woods Flying High Academy on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, following the successful delivery of Bingham Primary School in 2022.
Near-identical in size and scope, Whipman Woods provided an opportunity to embed further carbon reductions from early design through to delivery.
Central to this approach was CarboniCa – an intelligent carbon reduction tool developed by Morgan Sindall Group in partnership with Once For All.
By modelling the Bingham scheme in CarboniCa, the project team established a robust whole-life carbon benchmark that served as the baseline for Whipman Woods. The tool identified high-emission elements within the original design and proposed lower-carbon alternatives, enabling evidence-based decisions focused on long-term performance.
This data-driven approach informed a series of targeted enhancements, including:
- Use of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel, GGBS concrete, and a rationalised steel frame
- An increased number of high-efficiency air source heat pumps
- Demand-controlled ventilation and upgraded heat recovery systems
- Enhanced insulation and low U-value glazing
- Automated natural ventilation via rooflights
- On-site renewable energy generation via rooftop PV panels
The resulting impact of these changes was significant. The project achieved a 44% reduction in whole-life carbon compared with the Bingham scheme, saving 638 tonnes of CO₂e, equivalent to heating 236 homes annually. These improvements enabled the school to meet NZCiO standards and secure an A+ energy certificate, setting a new benchmark for sustainable, low carbon educational design.
State-of-the-Art Learning and Community Outreach
Alongside its outstanding energy performance, Whipman Woods Flying High Academy delivers a modern, inclusive, and inspiring learning environment for pupils, staff, and the wider community.
Designed to accommodate 210 primary pupils and 26 nursery children, the school features six bright, spacious classrooms, a dedicated nursery and reception area, a library, group rooms, and a specialist SEN/therapy space. Wraparound care is provided through breakfast and after-school provision, while a multi-use sports hall doubles as a dining area. Outdoor facilities include large play areas, trim trails, a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), and a Sport England-designed playing field.
Delivered via the SCAPE Construction framework, which enables clients to drive social and economic value in their communities, the project team generated £3.2m social value, equivalent to 33% of total project spend.
Key client targets outlined in the project’s Social Value Charter were exceeded across the board, with the project achieving:
- 45% of subcontract spend directed to local SMEs
- 88% SME engagement
- 48% of total spend within 20 miles
- 34% of labour within 20 miles
- 126 apprentice weeks
- 48 volunteering hours
- 32 school engagement hours
“Whipman Woods Flying High Academy is on track to becoming a beacon of learning and a source of pride for all of us, and most importantly of all, for the community it serves. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this fabulous school, it has a staff team and leadership of the highest calibre, who will champion every child to achieve their full potential, in a happy, state of the art new building.”
Chris Wheatley OBE
CEO of The Flying High Partnership
Upskilling the next generation through community renovation
In 2024, Morgan Sindall Construction partnered with Volunteer It Yourself (VIY), a social enterprise that brings together industry mentors and young people to teach trade and employability skills through the repair and renovation of community spaces.
During the construction of Whipman Woods Flying High Academy, the project team supported VIY with the full internal renovation of Carlton Youth Centre, in collaboration with Bassetlaw District Council. Over the course of three weeks, more than 50 young people, including students from North Notts College, carried out painting, fixture installation and flooring works, transforming the youth centre into a bright, welcoming space for the local community.
Alongside providing funding, materials and hands-on technical support, the initiative gave participants the chance to gain practical experience while helping to improve vital local facilities.
“This transformation of this project goes beyond bricks and mortar. It’s about creating a space where young people can thrive, learn, and connect with one another. The volunteers commitment to this project has been nothing short of inspiring. Not only have they honed their construction skills, but they’ve also breathed new life into the heart of our community.”
Katie Booth
Project Manager, Volunteer it Yourself
Social value outcomes
This project has been submitted by Morgan Sindall Construction as part of the collaborative Social Value in Construction Benchmarking Report. This report captures the latest insight into the regional and national trends in social value delivery, learn more here.
£3.2m
Social value
£105,000
Spent with social enterprises
88%
SME engagement
126
Apprentice weeks
48%
Local spend within 20 miles
In collaboration with:
Project gallery
Works carried out at Carlton Youth Centre
Team photo of volunteers and students celebrating works progress
Volunteers painting at Carlton Youth Centre
Students painting external walls of Carlton Youth Centre
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Social Value in Construction
Benchmarking Report
SCAPE's annual report in collaboration with Social Value Portal that captures the latest insight into the regional and national trends in social value delivery.