The solution was to analyse and retain parts of the existing school building and provide a new build intervention that would give the desired accommodation, reinvent the image of the school and act as the glue to bind the retained disparate elements of the school. The extent of the refurbishment ranged from light touch to heavy remodelling, based on existing condition, but the overall aim was to give equality to all spaces, new or old.
The client had an innovative brief for the 6th form, offering students a range of subjects to cover all abilities and strengths. Together with the core teaching spaces the school provides opportunities for real life enterprise. We created spaces for a retail environment, catering and incubators units therefore offering students direct vocational experiences with professional start up companies. A cafe space off the main dining space offered an alternative dining experience for 6th form students. The completed building also provided a new MUGA, sports hall and performance spaces, redefined entrance location and reception, multi use atrium, core teaching classrooms and integrated external learning landscape courtyards.
HRH The Princess Royal officially opened the Academy in May 2015.
