Using the site's location on the edge of the National Forest as inspiration, and in support of Leicestershire County Council's net zero carbon ambitions, the design of the new school places sustainability at the core and promotes environmental responsibility.

Building upon the principles of forest schools, and with the aim to encourage the personal growth and development of pupils, the children have an extended opportunity learn both inside and outside the classroom in specially designed teaching pavilions and outdoor classrooms, inspiring a generation to learn from the world around them.

The massing of the buildings further builds upon these key features, maximising the engagement and learning opportunity of the children, giving proven routes to higher success.

To facilitate a bespoke and flexible design based on forest school principles, the two-form entry primary school consists of six single-storey buildings, configured as a series of pavilions.

The six pavilion buildings feature a mix of pitched and flat roofs and constructed from brick, render, timber and slate rainscreen cladding, complementing the new residential area surrounding the site with a contemporary feel. All materials for the school's external envelope have been carefully selected on merit of sustainability, where all materials can be reused should the building ever be demolished or modified in the future.

The inclusion of timber SIPS (Structural Insulated Panels) maximises the building’s thermal efficiency and sustainability, and a low-impact material palette, combining timber, render, metal flashings, and brick plinths balance durability, aesthetics, and promote environmental responsibility.

The inclusion of roof-mounted photovoltaic panels boost the school’s sustainability principles and will go to support the school in generating approximately 10% of its own electrical requirements.

Within the pavilions, we have reduced reliance on internal corridors to reinvest the footprint into shared learning environments and usable spaces such as cluster libraries and home bases to recharge. With the pupil's wellbeing at the heart of these spaces, this flexibility suits a wide variety of pupil needs, providing opportunities for quiet pockets of space should they require. Each pavilion is linked by landscaped pathways, replacing internal corridors to the main building, encouraging and maximising the pupil’s exposure to the outdoors as they carry out their daily activities.

Surrounding a central courtyard, each pavilion has been specifically orientated to maximise the solar path and natural views, with full height glazing and large clerestory windows throughout to enhance the natural lighting and ventilation into classrooms and reducing the requirement on electric lighting and mechanical ventilation. The pavilion’s and site's shadier areas are reserved for areas for WC facilities, plant and kitchens.

Beyond are three further teaching pavilions. Organised around groups of four classrooms, they offer flexible teaching opportunities through a range of group rooms and shared learning spaces. As standalone spaces, each classroom has direct access to the outdoors and the external learning environments with level and accessible paths around the school site, removing the need for ramps or steps into the classroom pavilions.

Externally, consideration has been made to enhance the natural setting, promote biodiversity and reinforce the school’s forest-based ethos. Outdoor classrooms act as a connective gateway to extend learning beyond the internal environment; planters allow for the children to play an active role in growing fruit and vegetables which will be served to them at lunchtimes, and significant planting will encase the site once established.

As Leicestershire County Council’s first purpose-built forest school, Greenstone Primary School sets the precedent in sustainable school construction. The school will grow organically, welcoming it’s first cohort of pupils in September 2025 and then two classes per year group from 2026, adding one year group each year and reaching full capacity by 2031-32.