Sustainable School Design in the Heart of Sherwood Forest
Client: Harworth Group
Value: £8.4m
Architect: Lungfish Architects
Project Background
Set within the heart of Sherwood Forest on the former Thoresby Colliery site, Thoresby Vale Primary Academy plays a central role in the wider regeneration of Thoresby Vale, a 350-acre sustainable country park community featuring 800 new homes and vital local amenities. Commissioned by Harworth Group and delivered in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, the Department for Education, and Diverse Academies Trust, the new primary school welcomed pupils in September 2025.
The school’s design celebrates its unique forest location, blending traditional education with outdoor, nature-connected learning. Designed by Lungfish Architects and constructed by Stepnell, the scheme integrates elements such as wildflower meadows, an orchard, rain gardens, and food production areas, supporting a forest school philosophy and fostering environmental stewardship.
Project Scope
Stepnell’s £8.4 million design and build contract included:
- Four pavilion-style buildings, housing administration, a main kitchen, and separate Early Years and Junior teaching spaces
- External sports and recreation spaces, including hard play areas and a full-sized U11 football pitch
- Integrated sustainable infrastructure, including attenuation tanks, rainwater harvesting and SUDS-compliant drainage
The overall design champions outdoor learning and low-carbon construction, reflecting the school’s ethos of environmental responsibility.
Our Role
As main contractor, Stepnell has delivered this inspiring education facility through a collaborative, sustainability-first approach. The use of timber-framed structures reinforces the school’s natural setting and aligns with our commitment to environmentally responsible building practices.
Powering a Greener Future
Our specialist renewables division, Step Energy, designed and installed the school’s photovoltaic system, delivering a practical step toward net zero ambitions.
System Highlights:
- Estimated Annual Generation: 10,629 kWh
- Self-consumption Rate: 68.7%
- Estimated CO₂ Savings: 4,989 kg/year
PV modules were strategically placed across two building roofs to maximise energy capture, supplying the school with clean, renewable electricity and reducing its carbon footprint.
Driving Down Carbon: Whole Life Carbon Assessment
As part of Stepnell’s commitment to sustainable construction, a Whole Life Carbon Assessment was carried out at tender stage for Thoresby Vale Primary School by independent consultants Carbon Leaf, in line with the 2023 RICS Professional Standard. The project achieved a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 639 kg CO₂/m², earning a One Click Carbon Heroes rating and placing it comfortably within best practice benchmarks for UK primary schools.
A School Inspired by Nature
Operated by Diverse Academies Trust, Thoresby Vale Primary Academy offers a bold, forward-thinking curriculum that blends academic excellence with environmental education. Principal Rebecca Hurley is leading the charge in developing a vibrant, child-centred environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and a connection to the natural world.
“We want Thoresby Vale Primary Academy to be a positive and thriving school community where children love to learn each day. Situated in the heart of Sherwood Forest, we want to maximise our unique setting, delivering both the national and a natural curriculum.”
Rebecca Hurley, Principal
Crafting Inspiring Learning Environments: Lawford Bespoke Joinery
As part of the fit-out, our in-house team at Lawford Bespoke Joinery played a key role in shaping the internal environment, delivering tailored solutions that enhance both function and aesthetics across the school:
- Teaching Walls and IPS Cubicles in the Early Years and Junior pavilions support flexible classroom use, privacy, and child-friendly design
- A bespoke food technology workstation provides younger learners with engaging, hands-on experience
- Admin and staff areas were thoughtfully fitted out with custom worktops, reception hatches, library joinery, and practical storage solutions in key spaces like the reprographics room and general offices
These handcrafted joinery elements elevate the learning environment, bringing together purpose, practicality, and a welcoming atmosphere that supports the needs of both pupils and staff.
A Beacon of Regeneration
Thoresby Vale Primary School is more than a building, it’s a symbol of positive transformation. From coalfield to classroom, this project showcases the power of place-based regeneration, sustainable construction, and community-first development.
At Stepnell, we’re proud to contribute to a project that reflects our core values of Commitment, Integrity, Progressive thinking, and Collaboration, creating long-term social value while enabling the next generation to thrive.
Community Engagement
From concept through to completion, community collaboration has been at the heart of Thoresby Vale Forest School. Engagement between Diverse Academies Trust, local families, and stakeholders helped shape the school’s vision and ensure it reflects the needs and aspirations of the Edwinstowe community.
Prior to opening, families were invited to tour the facilities, meet the teaching team, and explore the grounds, marking a significant milestone in the area’s regeneration story. The new school not only provides a first-class educational facility but also acts as a community hub within this expanding neighbourhood.
Outcome
Thoresby Vale Primary Academy officially welcomed its first pupils in September 2025, opening its doors to a bright, modern, and inclusive learning environment that celebrates the beauty and lessons of nature.
The school stands as a testament to innovative, sustainable construction and educational design excellence. It delivers an inspiring space for children to learn, grow, and connect with their environment, while embodying Stepnell’s commitment to creating buildings that enrich lives and communities.
