Penoyre & Prasad’s latest school, Belfairs in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex welcomed pupils back to school this week.
The project comprises a 1300 place high school plus a small adult education centre. Arranged around three learning hubs, each with a central open teaching space, the school develops ideas of personalised learning explored in P&P’s recent Space for Personalised Learning research project.
A mixed mode ventilation uses the opens spaces to cross ventilate perimeter classrooms. As a media arts specialist school with creativity running throughout the curriculum, the interiors are inspired by media and arts studios – large, open, white spaces with natural materials used in special areas.
The £23 million project was constructed in 18 months. Landscape will be completed this time next year.