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
The delivery of Whipman Woods Flying High Academy provided Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, with the unique opportunity to reimagine a proven school design with carbon reduction at its core.
Through early contractor collaboration via the SCAPE Construction framework, the project teams combined the latest construction methods with an intelligent carbon reduction tool to eliminate an additional 649 tonnes of CO₂e from the original design – enabling the school to achieve Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCiO).
Completed on time, within budget and with a 10/10 client satisfaction score, this project provides a clear blueprint for local authorities to meet the growing demand for low-carbon schools.
Achieving Net Zero Carbon in Operation
Following the successful delivery of Bingham Primary School in 2022, Morgan Sindall Construction was reappointed by Arc Partnership to deliver Whipman Woods Flying High Academy on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council.
Near-identical in size and scope as the Bingham scheme, the new project presented an opportunity to embed further carbon reduction from early design right 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, Morgan Sindall was able to establish a robust whole-life carbon benchmark that served as the baseline for Whipman Woods. The tool was also able to identify high-emission elements of the design and proposed lower-carbon alternatives, enabling evidence-based decisions focused on performance outcomes. This data-driven approach guided a series of targeted enhancements, including the 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, with the project achieving a 44% reduction in whole-life carbon compared with the Bingham scheme. This saw a total of 638 tonnes of CO₂e saved – the equivalent to heating 236 homes annually. It also ensured the school met Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCiO) standards and secured an A+ energy certification, setting a new benchmark for sustainable low carbon education.
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 students, staff, and the wider community.
Designed to accommodate up to 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 supported 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 has been designed to enable clients to drive social and economic value in their communities – the project team generated £3.2m in measurable social value, equivalent to 34% of total project spend.
Key client targets outlined in the project’s Social Value Charter were exceeded across the board. The project also outperformed the exceptional delivery of Bingham Primary School, with 45% of subcontract spend directed to local SMEs, 88% SME engagement, and 48% of total spend and 34% of labour sourced locally. The project also delivered 126 apprentice weeks, 48 volunteering hours, and 32 school engagement hours.
A standout initiative on the project was Morgan Sindall's partnership 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 build, the project team supported the full internal renovation of Carlton Youth Centre in collaboration with Bassetlaw District Council. Over 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 community.
“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
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
105K
Spent with social enterprises
126
Apprentice weeks
In collaboration with:
Project gallery
Volunteer It Yourself works carried out at Carlton Youth Centre
Volunteer It Yourself team photo of volunteers and students celebrating works progress
Volunteer It Yourself team painting at Carlton Youth Centre
Volunteer It Yourself 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.