A SCHOOL has been shortlisted in two categories at the prestigious Education Estate Awards after undergoing a major sustainability- led transformation.

The ongoing retrofit and decarbonisation programme at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School, in collaboration with Levitt Bernstein, has been recognised in the Refurbishment of the Year and Project of the Year Independent Schools categories, with the winners due to be announced at the Education Estates Awards ceremony later this year.

The shortlisted project formed part of the school’s long-term vision to create facilities while reducing the environmental impact, developing a decarbonisation strategy which transformed six buildings through a combination of refurbishment and sustainable design.

The buildings which have been part of the project include a new Sixth Form Centre, dance studio, dining hall and fitness centre, as well as the remodelling of existing listed buildings to provide modern teaching, social and preparatory school spaces.

The project supports the school’s fully co-educational model while creating environments designed to enhance learning, wellbeing and community life.

By prioritising the refurbishment and adaptation of existing buildings, the masterplan demonstrates how historic educational estates can be reimagined for the future.

The project incorporates improvements to energy efficiency, solar photovoltaic panels, heat pumps and biodiversity measures, providing a clear pathway towards Net Zero Carbon.

Levitt Bernstein, which led the project, described the development as “an exceptional example of sustainable, innovative retrofit, achieving high levels of environmental performance.”

The practice also highlighted the strong collaboration between the wider project team and Haberdashers’ Monmouth School as a key factor in the project’s success.

A Haberdashers’ Monmouth spokesperson said: “We are delighted that the transformation for our estate has been recognised through this national shortlisting. The project has enabled us to enhance the experience of our pupils while preserving and improving existing buildings for future generations.

“Sustainability has been at the heart of our decision-making throughout the programme, and we are proud to see the work recognised alongside some of the most innovative educational developments in the UK.”