Columbus presently caters for children with profound multiple learning difficulties and/or autistic spectrum disorders. The new accommodation will see the Columbus College re-located on a site near the existing Columbus School and neighbouring mainstream St John Payne School. The college has a maturer and simpler form than the school, with a large central atrium with zones overlooking it. A range of social and personalised learning areas will be provided at ground and first floor level in and around the atrium. At the front the new college is a large community square known as “Columbus Square”. This will provide a space for the local community to celebrate, eat, drink, sit, meet, hold events and enjoy. In the college eco-courtyard at the heart of the plan adjacent to the atrium we will have scented planting, textural effects and rainwater harvesting to stimulate the senses.
“The new educational campus has made Columbus School and College a landmark building.”
Malcolm Reeve, Executive Head
Photographs by Hufton and Crow.
