Landscape amphitheatre resolving the change in level across the site.
Elm Court School caters for up to 100, 11–16 age students with additional support needs (ASN). Formerly occupying a site with more than 50% temporary buildings, the school had developed over the years to provide extra specialist and general learning environments. Full conversion and a new-build extension was proposed in order to cater for the future needs of its pupils.
While the Edwardian building was preserved externally – being situated within a conservation area – there was freedom to transform the internal organisation of spaces, providing environments that would complement the needs of a 21st century school. The remodelled building brings in daylight, fresh air and a clearer visible circulation strategy. These improvements help create a place where more environmentally sensitive children can learn and staff can manage the school day with minimal stress.
Teaching takes place within a classroom based system, which is necessary to keep teaching groups small (eight pupils) and to minimise disruption and distraction. The classrooms are supplemented by small group rooms for ‘time-out space’, one-to-one work or staff meetings. The buildings have been designed to allow direct access to outdoor space from both the lower and upper ground levels, and enable lift access to the upper level from within the building so that the entire site is accessible to all.
New courtyard framed between the original building and the new wings providing specialist accommodation.
View from the rear showing the relationship between new and old.
Key issues included:
- Adapting an Edwardian property to meet BSF standards presented the design and construction teams with a series of challenges, as well as an opportunity to create something innovative and bold.
- Combining new with old (while retaining original features such as the war memorial panels in the hall) meant that some teaching spaces could be larger than would be provided for under a new-build scheme.
- Extremely limited access for construction, only made possible by active engagement with the local community.
‘The new school demonstrates what is possible in creating a modern, well-equipped learning environment from an historic building.’
English Heritage