The policy-driven focus, at present, is to improve the energy performance of buildings. However, energy-related issues alone do not capture the full impact of buildings on occupants and the wider environment. The performance of a building also includes occupant wellbeing and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Specifically, for schools, there is a strong association between IEQ (temperature, ventilation rates, and indoor CO2 concentrations) with cognitive performance. Traffic-related external pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide are linked to adverse health impacts, especially in dense urban environments. This paper assesses the performance issues and inter-relationships between energy and IEQ in a newly-built and partly-refurbished school campus in London. Based on the evidence gathered from this case study, larger endemic issues and constraints within the construction industry are explored and lessons for improved performance in the design and operation of school buildings are highlighted
