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MadWelshie · Mad MacAdmin Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 5142 status:

A school said to be so well insulated that the heat from children, staff and computers will warm the building has opened following completion.

Highland Council said Acharacle Primary in Lochaber will be the most energy efficient in Scotland and is the country's first sustainable school.

Most of the building is made from wood, while a wind turbine on a nearby hill generates electricity to heat water.

Rain water is also collected for use in flushing the toilets.

Claims the pupils' bodies will provide the heat once they have had their breakfast led to it being dubbed the "Weetabix school".

On its roll are 48 English and Gaelic medium primary school pupils and 14 nursery school pupils.

Michael Foxley, leader of the council's administration and a councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan, visited the school earlier in the week when pupils were given a preview of their new surroundings.

He said: "This is a landmark and exciting development, which demonstrates our commitment to creating a greener council. This safe and non-toxic school will help our sustainability design agenda."

Head teacher Lyndsay Bradley said the whole community was delighted that the new school was now open.

She added: "It is an amazing new building."

Community resource

The new school has five classrooms, one of which is for shared community use.

There is also a nursery, a multi-purpose hall, separate dining facility and music practice rooms.

Classroom and hall ceilings have an "acoustic profile" to improve the acoustic performance of these rooms.

Changing rooms for both school and community will be in use when the new community playing field is ready.

An entrance foyer has also been designed to be used as an extension of the school facilities and for small gatherings.

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