Greenstone Primary School, a new forest primary school located on Harworth Group’s South East Coalville development in Leicestershire, has opened its doors for its first pupils.
South East Coalville is an emerging community, and the master developer behind it – Harworth Group – is enabling the development of over 2,000 homes along with new public green spaces and a local quarter including shopping amenities and community facilities.
Taking inspiration from the area’s National Forest setting, Greenstone Primary School has been designed as a forest school. This innovative Scandinavian model will make the most of the area’s natural surroundings by creating a unique blend of indoor and outdoor learning environments. It will encourage children to spend more time outside and learn through hands-on experiences which promote curiosity, creativity and discovery.
Sustainability has been a driving force behind Greenstone Primary School’s creation. All materials used in creating the school’s exterior have been carefully selected to enhance sustainability and extend the building’s durability for the long term. This includes using timber structural insulated panels to maximise heat retention and reduce energy use, as well as incorporating low carbon materials that will contribute towards a carbon-conscious environment for the community.
The school’s design is primarily made up of six single storey pavilions, fitted with solar panels that are specifically orientated to capture the sun’s trajectory and capable of generating up to 10 per cent of the school’s energy. Landscaping around the school has also been set up to enhance the natural setting and promote biodiversity.
The first purpose-built state-run forest school under Leicestershire County Council, the school’s name – ‘Greenstone’ – comes from the hard layer of rock found beneath the ground in the local area – harking back to the area’s coalmining history and 19th Century railway pioneer George Stephenson’s challenges when he encountered a thick layer of greenstone at the Snibston Colliery, which provided the coal used to power steam engines on the Leicester and Swannington Railway.
The school has opened with 30 places for children in reception and will expand to two classes per year from September 2026. A new cohort of pupils will join in each of the following five years – with the school reaching full capacity by the 2031-32 school year, offering 420 places to pupils across reception to year six.
The six pavilions provide classrooms, a school hall, kitchen, administration facilities and Early Years provision. They are arranged around groups of four classrooms offering a range of flexible spaces such as group rooms and shared learning space. Also included are hard play areas as well as a full size under 11s football pitch – providing more space for children to play in an outdoor environment.
Greenstone Primary School has been directly delivered by Harworth Group, supported by partners including Leicestershire County Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, as well as contractors Stepnell, and Lungfish Architects. The school is managed by Lionheart Educational Trust, a multi-academy trust of 17 East Midlands schools.
The school has already received recognition of its unique design and community impact by being named as a finalist for Large Non-Residential Scheme of the Year at the ProCon Leicestershire Awards 2025.
David Cockroft, Managing Director – National Development Delivery, said:
“The opening of Greenstone Primary School marks a major milestone in the evolution of the vibrant community we are creating at South East Coalville – with high-quality homes alongside the green space and social infrastructure that families need to grow and flourish.
“Creating thriving, sustainable communities is central to our vision at Harworth. This extends beyond simply delivering homes for people – we’re also committed to creating much-needed spaces and amenities that help people to learn, explore and come together.
“From talking to members of the local community, it’s clear how important Greenstone Primary School will be for families in the area. We are proud to have collaborated with all stakeholders and partners to deliver the school and bring this vision to life. We know that this will be an incredible place for children to develop and explore critical skills in a unique environment, while improving access and opportunities to the natural world.”
Natalie Yeomans, Head of School at Greenstone Primary, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to welcome our first pupils to Greenstone Primary School. Our vision has always been to create a nurturing, inspiring environment where children can thrive both academically and holistically. By embracing the forest school ethos, we’re giving our learners the opportunity to connect with nature, build confidence and develop a lifelong love of learning.”