Silfield Oak Primary School, Wymondham
Silfield Oak Primary School is a new 2FE, 420-pupil primary school in Wymondham, 10 miles south of Norwich. The school sits within a large new housing estate which was in development during the construction of the school. Regular engagement with the developers was essential to ensure deliveries and progress were unhindered by access or logistical issues. Face-to-face visits, newsletters and a WhatsApp group with adjacent and nearby residents was also important to keep them up to date with our activity and progress.
The two-storey building is 2,386 sqm and includes a reception, library, sports hall/dining hall, 15 classrooms, a MUGA and 8,577 sq m of grass playing fields which were seeded and established to ensure it was ready for the September 2025 intake of pupils.
The building is comprised of a piled substructure, steel frame and precast concrete floors. The façade is a mixture of traditional brickwork with dark salmon-coloured glazed feature panels. Internally the building has painted plasterboard walls and the ceilings are a combination of suspended ceilings and exposed concrete soffits with acoustic rafts.
Sustainability is a key aspect of this new building which incorporates Breathing Building Units which use a ventilation system to reduce energy consumption by combining natural and mechanical ventilation and reducing heat loss / gain through the fabric of a building. Intelligent units are incorporated into the building’s fabric and monitor internal and external conditions (temperature and CO2 levels) to automatically regulate airflow, minimising the need for energy-intensive mechanical systems. Underfloor heating, PV panels, air source heat pumps and motion-sensor lighting are also fitted throughout.
The school is run by The Unity Schools Partnership trust and a number of events were held to engage the Trust, Norfolk County Council and end-users prior to and after completion including a ground breaking event, a steel signing event and a pre-completion tour for parents and pupils. We also gifted some books to the school on World Book Day.
The R G Carter team have been warm and welcoming, patient and accommodating. They have listened and worked in collaboration with us to ensure the school is right for the children and families. We thank the team for not only ensuring the school could open in time, but for making us feel welcome and involved in the shaping of the school. We would strongly recommend R G Carter for any future school projects,
