In June, a special ceremony took place at St Sophia’s Primary School in Galston, marking a unique milestone in the school’s transformation to become the UK’s first EnerPHit certified school.
The event, hosted at St Sophia’s, saw pupils, staff, elected members of East Ayrshire Council and representatives from Fleming’s project team come together to bury a time capsule provided by Fleming, filled with artwork, letters, and artefacts created by the children. Within the time capsule was a poster which features the names of all the children and young people attending the school and information about Father Onoyima and the Nigerian missionaries who are working with the school community.
The time capsule marks a significant moment in the retrofit of the school building, which has been delivered by Fleming in collaboration with East Ayrshire Council. This project has transformed St Sophia’s into the UK’s first primary school to meet Passivhaus EnerPHit standards and sets a new benchmark for energy efficiency and sustainability in education.
Mike Burrows, Managing Director of Fleming, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of such a landmark project, and it was a real privilege to join the pupils and wider community for this celebration. The retrofit wasn’t just about improving a building, it’s about preserving the character of a much-loved school while ensuring it meets the needs of future generations.”
The retrofit of St Sophia’s Primary School forms part of East Ayrshire Council’s wider strategy to create net zero learning environments across the region.
Councillor Elaine Cowan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education, and Children and Young People, said: “It was great to join the children and young people from St Sophia’s for a time capsule ceremony. They were so excited to be on site and see their school almost complete, their enthusiasm was wonderful.
“This project is incredibly innovative and is a first in the UK but first and foremost, it is an investment in the children and young people of the Irvine Valley. As a Council we are committed to ensuring that all our children and young people have the best possible start in life and have the opportunity to learn in an environment that matches the hopes and aspirations of the school community.”
The time capsule, set to be reopened in 2075, will serve as a snapshot of school life today, capturing the voices, hopes, and creativity of the pupils during this important transition.
Fleming continues to play a leading role in delivering low-carbon, community-focused buildings across Scotland, combining modern construction methods with respect for heritage and local identity.
