Gloucester Academy
Gloucester
Gloucester Academy caters for 1,250 pupils, including a sixth form of 200. From the outset, the Academy's vision was that the new buildings should be visible, welcoming to the community, inspire and lift the spirits. and should have innovative flexible learning environment, led by student needs.
The entrance is framed with a red arched canopy, giving civic presence and a clear identity, welcoming students and the community to the new facility. The building has been designed as a compact form arranged over two storeys. Learning clusters are positioned around an ellipsoidal heart-space. A bridge at first floor level creates a more intimate touchdown space at the interface between the School of Transition on one side and the School of Achievement on the other.
The two 'schools' represent the journey of progression through the Academy.
The sports facility is a separate building linked to the Academy which maximises those facilities usable by the community, with an emphasis on a sports hall and gym with direct access to the pitches and performance areas for dance or drama.
If my 12-year-old self had imagined the school of the future, I might have drawn something resembling Gloucester Academy.Gloucester Citizen
Multifunction
The central heart space is a focussed and multifunctional area, rich in access to ICT, with hands-on access to a variety of learning settings. It provides flexible dining areas and a place for social use on bad weather days or for events, exhibition and displays. It can be used for assemblies, lead lessons for multiple groups and for lectures or talks. It also offers a less formal interface for staff and students to meet and talk and further develop good relationships. The Academy’s specialism of digital technology is a ubiquitous feature supporting all learning, teaching and administration.
Partnering
Gloucestershire College were local partners in education supporting the catering specialism. This attracted local business support for students preparing for a ‘world of work’.
The on-going support of local sports clubs, the provision of stand-alone sports facility, and a focus on the two regional sports (rugby and cricket) have ensured that the sporting facilities have been significantly enhanced for future generations. The project strengthened ties with the neighbouring Rugby club and attracted ECB funding to provide high quality cricket training facilities.
Nicholas Hare Architects embraced the Academy's vision for learning and showed a real understanding of how quality design in learning environments inspires those that work in them. Realistic about budgets, quality was never compromised in the name of price; real value was achieved to make quality affordable.Philip Lomax, Gloucester Academy
Our Team
- Jayne Bird
- David Brook
- James Taylor
Project Team
- Client: Gloucestershire County Council
- Cost Planning: Kier
- Structural Engineer: WSP Group
- Landscape architect: Pegassus
- Building Control & Fire Safety: Salus
- Acoustician: WSP Group
- CDM Coordinator: Mace
- Catering Consultant: Jam Jar Design Solutions
- FF&E: Jonathan Holland Associates
- Photography: Tim Crocker
Awards
- Regional Finalist: Civic Trust Awards
- Commendation: Gloucester Civic Awards
- Shortlisted: Education Estates Award Project of the Year
