CE+CA has worked closely with staff and students to develop proposals for a new learning corridor and IT space at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School.

Like most school buildings, the facilities at St Thomas of Canterbury School have evolved over a number of years to respond to the immediate needs of the pupils and staff. While this has enabled the school to function in the short term, the series of poorly constructed spatial changes have been carried out without much consideration for the long term spatial planning, or the rationale of the existing building, which has created many issues with circulation and the quality of spaces within the school.

The brief, to provide a new IT teaching space, therefore had to be viewed in the context of this evolving space and delivered as part of a long term vision rather than a short term response. This involved careful study of the existing building to understand where recent additions had departed from this, and how the building in its current state could be adapted to create a more rational series of spaces whilst working within the constraints of the limited budget.

During the briefing and concept design process, we worked closely with various stakeholders such as representatives from the school, parent councillors, and the Catholic Multi Academy Trust to ensure that the design was sensitive to the needs of each party. We also engaged the building’s end users, carrying out a workshop with Year 5 students to explore materials and other aspects of interior design.

The proposal emerged as a long term spatial strategy which aimed to improve the circulation and quality of spaces through the reorganisation of internal spaces. In order to avoid disruptions during term-time, and to reduce budgetary pressure, the long term spatial strategy was divided into phases. The first phase would see the relocation of the main reception, and of an early years classroom to improve access to light and views, and create space for the new IT space. Phase 2 aimed to make further improvements to circulation through the removal and replacement of a dilapidated conservatory extension with a new playground-facing classroom.