Tilbury Douglas marks the start of construction of UK’s first purpose built biophilic primary school

Tilbury Douglas has celebrated the official start of construction at St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, which will be the UK’s first purpose built biophilic primary school, as part of a pilot scheme for the Department for Education (DfE).

The new school, which is part of St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, will replace the original school which was destroyed by fire in October 2020.

In attendance to mark this milestone were representatives from St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, the Diocese, DfE and Tilbury Douglas.  

Simon Butler, Managing Director Building Central at Tilbury Douglas, said: “As the main contractor working on this innovative school, it was great to be able to mark such an important milestone as we officially start construction.”

The new facility, which will be biophilia, means it will focus on connecting those inside the building with nature and increase biodiversity through its design. The new site will be net zero carbon in operation.