St Mary’s has now reopened as the UK’s greenest primary school.
See our amazing new school below.
St Mary’s is the country’s first biophilic school and has been built as part of a pilot project by the Department for Education.
Biophilic design focuses on connecting those inside with nature, with the goal of promoting physical and mental health.
The school’s original building burnt down in October 2020 and pupils and staff were based at St James’ House, in Mansfield Road, Derby, from April 2021.
Time Lapse Footage of St Mary’s New Build
Media Coverage from our Grand Opening
Derby: Arson-hit school reopens after £8m rebuild – BBC News
BBC One – East Midlands Today, Evening News, 04/12/2023 (go to 10 minutes)
Andy Twigge – 04/12/2023 – BBC Sounds (1.08 in, 1.37 in, 2.08 in and 2.44 in)
St Mary’s New Build News
The Initial Concept
Our building will be the country’s first biophilic school, meaning it will be close to nature and its design is focused around plants and wildlife. The building will consist of a primary school and nursery and will be single-storey, made up of a series of pavilions arranged along a central canopy.
In the design, each age group – early years, infants and juniors – had a practical shared learning resource space. In addition, there is an entrance building featuring offices, the hall, chapel and communal areas which are deliberately connected to outdoor spaces.
We are excited that the site will improve pupils’ academic, social, emotional and spiritual outcomes, as well as giving pupils and staff a sense of place and belonging.
Multiple studies have shown that biophilic designs can significantly improve the physical and mental health of building users, namely pupils, staff and visitors.
This is hugely exciting for the whole community and complements Pope Francis’ important messages urging world leaders to take ‘radical’ climate action.
Set to be the UK’s first Biophilic school – the main goal of Biophilia is to promote physical and mental health
Aerial View
Design Principles and Concepts
Play and Adventure
Learning within a different range of landscapes
Connecting the buildings with nature
Using natural materials
Multi-sensory experiences
Celebrating the natural world
Creating places of sanctuary
