Wynne Construction’s work on a multi-million-pound Welsh school has been awarded the highest sustainability rating by the world’s leading certification system.

The contractor has secured an ‘outstanding’ rating of 93.69% under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) 2018 Education Scheme for its work on the Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron development.

The £16.3m facility in Ceredigion, which amalgamated Ciliau Parc School, Dihewyd School, and Felinfach School, is only the second educational project in Wales to secure the top rating.

Officially opened by First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, the rating is a landmark moment for the education hub which can accommodate up to 210 students, with additional capacity for ALN, Welsh language, and pre-school provision.

Wynne Construction director, Richard Wynne, said: “This is a hugely-significant achievement by the whole team, especially given the complexities around securing such a high mark.

“To achieve an outstanding rating, schemes must score above 85%, so to reach 93% and be the highest-scoring education building in the UK is phenomenal.

“Without collaboration between the client, Ceredigion County Council, ourselves, and the supply chain, none of this would have been possible, and the collective parts of the scheme should be proud of the work that has gone in.”

BREEAM provides a sustainability assessment framework, measuring value in a series of categories that address factors such as low impact design and carbon emissions reduction. These include management, water, energy, transport, waste, pollution, health and wellbeing, and innovation.

Wynne said: “Unless the team has a shared vision, these types of certifications are impossible to achieve.

“When we were liaising with our assessor, Hannah from RedSix, it became clear that we were on the right path to hitting the levels needed for an outstanding rating.

“With some guidance, we were able to push that bit harder when it came to ecology improvements around certain plant species, for example.

“It’s a massive accomplishment for Wynne Construction, Ceredigion County Council, and the entire project delivery team.”