Houghton on the Hill

Client: Leicestershire County Council + Willmott Dixon Construction Limited

Location: Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire

Value: £1m

Contract: Design and Build

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An extension to provide three additional new classrooms was required to accommodate additional pupil numbers and to replace the existing mobile classroom that was nearing the end of its useful life.  A ‘breakout’ teaching space, toilets and new access to the playground was incorporated to improve the teaching and learning environment and circulation of the existing school.

 

As the school is situated in a conservation area, the 250 square metre extension to the existing school was designed to be sympathetic to the scale and character of the local village and the existing school building that has been extended a number of times since it was established in 1856.  The extension is predominantly of red brick construction separated by areas of blue brick and render, with sloping parapets as an abstract reference to the traditional buildings of the village.

 

Stunning views of open countryside were revealed by the removal of the mobile classroom and the new classrooms have been designed to take advantage of this with full height corner glazing, fitted with solar shades to prevent summer overheating.

 

Each classroom enjoys high levels of natural lighting and ventilation, has its own external access and opens directly off the shared ‘breakout’ teaching space.  The playground was extended as part of the works and an improved ramped access to the new entrance from the playground was created on this sloping site.