The design seeks to align with the school’s educational vision that learning is an adventure, filled with inspirational and creative opportunities. The new design is a single storey level access building as it was important to the school that the students can move around the building independently wherever possible. The layout forms a horseshoe shape with multi-agency and out-of-hours larger communal spaces located to the front of the school. Directly opposite the welcoming entrance space is a key space; the school hall. The proposals include a new hydrotherapy pool, which is an important therapy and learning space, and a valuable resource for the wider community out-of-hours. To the south, the classrooms are located and are zoned in early years, primary, secondary and post-16 areas, which have their own identity to support a child’s progression through the school. The plan is punctuated by two courtyards, which allow daylight and air to penetrate the circulation spaces. The courtyards have been carefully detailed to include sensory gardens, an animal care area, storytelling and performance spaces, alfresco dining, fruit trees and growing areas.
The project is part of the DfE’s Sustainability Pilot Scheme, which has been developed by the DfE in response to the UK Government target to achieve net-zero ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions by 2050. The sustainability targets aim to improve on the current DfE Output specification and include; improved fabric performance and air tightness to significantly reduce heat losses; daylighting strategy to meet best practice guidance; and the heating and renewable strategy, with pv panels and air source heat pumps, will generate the heating for the building. The project is part of the NLA’s Resilience London.
Renders by Blackpoint Design
