World’s largest Passivhaus school cuts energy use in half in first year
Despite freezing temperatures and snow across Scotland, students at Fife’s Woodmill and St Columba’s High Schools are staying cosy and warm, as new figures from BAM UK & Ireland show the world’s largest Passivhaus school cutting energy bills by £433,392 and reducing energy consumption by 48% in its first year of operation.
Built by BAM for Fife Council, the new Passivhaus-certified building opened in Autumn 2024, bringing together 2,700 students from two high schools, Woodmill and St Columba’s, and replacing older school buildings. The two schools are linked by a central hub designed to foster collaboration, innovation and community use, supporting better outcomes for all.
Under Scottish Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) funding requirements, the first-year energy performance of the building is critical, with funding contingent on meeting strict in-use energy targets. Under a three-year facilities management contract with Fife Council, BAM UK & Ireland is delivering real-time monitoring which shows the building is far exceeding the required targets, setting a new benchmark for sustainable school design in the UK and helping to reduce energy costs.
