St Christopher’s School
Heading text needed
Sector
Education
Private
The Challenge
To upgrade the physical school and increase the offer.
The Outcome
A 10-year masterplan to rejuvenate the school, including adding an early years entry year.
Ut odit aut fugit,
Aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos
Find a foothold
Aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos
Build Momentum
Aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos
Form insights
Aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos
XXXXXX
OVERVIEW
Understanding the magic
of St Christopher’s
St Christopher’s School is an independent single sex prep school in north London. Kennedy Woods are currently working on two key projects running simultaneously; a visionary masterplan for the next 10 years of development, and the addition of an early year’s facility to the school.
3 Key points:
1. 10 Year masterplan
2. Uncover the DNA of the school
3. EYFS design adaptations
MASTERPLAN
To coincide with the schools 150th anniversary, St Christopher’s have commissioned Kennedy Woods to deliver a visionary 10-year masterplan to carry the long-term strategy for the future of the school. The plan looks to consolidate the heritage, ethos and offer of the school, into a cohesive, forward-looking plan.
The physical challenge for the masterplan is the limited space of the campus, and the delicate balance between extending the buildings and the need for outdoor space.
ANALYSIS
The initial work for the masterplan has focused on how to maximise the potential of the estate, looking at the existing facilities and what development opportunities there might be.
By running engagement activities, it has been possible to build an understanding of needs and properties of all stakeholders, by including current students it has been possible to uncover overlooked areas for improved and redevelopment. Focus groups and workshops bring together all stakeholders, allowing all voices to be heard and unpick tensions with the current school facilities, enabling us to look at the site in different ways and build a successful masterplan.
INSTILLING THE ETHOS INTO DESIGN
The co-design element of creating this masterplan ties closely in with the ethos and values of St Christophers (teamwork, creativity, curiosity) and will result in developments that are well-considered and user-centric, as well as encouraging enthusiasm and ownership amongst those involved
As part of the masterplan strategy is the creation of a style guide, to help unify the look and feel of the school across all touch points, to smooth out the ad hoc feeling the school and bring the ethos of the school into the design.
XXXXXX
EARLY LEARNING ADDITION
A key aspect of the design was helping to realise a scheme to extend the reception classes at the school, as well as creating an outdoor play space, to encourage outdoor learning and free-flowing movement between indoors and outdoors (in line with the school’s ethos).
The design of the early learning classes had to be carefully considered, tailored to the early years foundation stages (EYFS) recommendations, such as free flow between the class and play areas, kitchen facilities, toilets accessible from the classroom’s, child-height sinks, cozy corners and a lobby area with large glazing to offer a visual connection without compromising on safety.
Ut odit aut fugAut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur
Ut odit aut fugAut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur
Ut odit aut fugAut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur
RENOVATE EXISTING SPACE
The new scheme includes a refit of the existing classrooms, to provide an overall streamlined appearance, including many items of bespoke joinery, providing hidden storage, display areas and work-surfaces etc. The classrooms will open out directly onto a new, secure, play-space.
The layout has been cleverly reimagined, to maximise the space available, for example the addition of a retractable wall between classrooms offers flexibility over the use of the space, so it can be open for large events like the school play but can be separate for more traditional classes. A nice feature are the new classroom breakout spaces which have been created in the original bay window spaces, these highlighting the original character of the building and maximising this previously overlooked space.
XXXXXX
PHASED CONSTRUCTION
A carefully phased construction plan will ensure there is minimal interruption to both the school and the pupils throughout the process. The design has been analysed to include staggered construction elements, so stages can be managed and completed during the set holiday periods. For internal fixtures there is a focus on offsite construction, such as modular work for the bespoke joinery, to minimise the time needed onsite.
“Sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae”
Sandrine Paillasse
Headteacher
