Category: Projects

This week we have a new video for you, showcasing another of our education projects.

This is a build sequence model and video of the new science building at John Port School, in Etwall, Derbyshire. The project has recently started on site and this shows the main sequencing of how the science expansion will be built on the sloping site. The architecture reflects the recently completed Post 16 building, on the same site, as we continue to develop a new identify for the school’s expanding campus. This project will provide 6 new science labs and prep rooms, and is the 3rd phase of work at the school for the Spencer Academies Trust.

“I wanted to write on behalf of the School with sincere thanks for all your hard work and significant contribution towards the successful planning application submitted for Hatherop School.

We are all very grateful for your guidance, support, professional advice and final submission documents – working with us through this process and putting up with the many questions!

We won’t forget the contribution made by the Thinking Buildings team and wish you all the best for the summer break.“

We were delighted to receive this lovely testimonial from the Governors at Hatherop, a Cotswold Primary school, where we have secured planning consent for a new hall and various other phases to improve school buildings. As architects, understandably, there is a lot of focus on design, but also a large part of our role is to successfully project manage and guide our clients through what can often be a complex and challenging process. It is always satisfying when clients speak kindly about both our design and professional skills. 

Our Education project spotlight continues with a fly around of this new sixth form building at Alexandra Park School in Haringey, London. Construction is due to start on site this summer and we’re really excited to see this one rise up from the ground. 

Obtaining planning was a challenge on an extremely constrained site located in the designated Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). Thinking Buildings worked successfully with Miriam Owen at Edgars to justify to the planning department that the benefits of expanding the school outweighed any potential harm. This was a really good example of setting out a clear planning strategy and engaging with the planning authority to gain support. 

The scheme provides seminar rooms, study spaces, and a large social area with access to a covered social space, and is expected to be completed for use by the school for September 2025. The planning approval included a roof terrace to maximise outdoor amenity space. 

The contractor is Alcema Limited and we are working together to finalise the technical design ready for the start on site. Other consultants include CBG Consultants Ltd providing mechanical & electrical, Cole Easdon highways and Jackson Purdue Lever as structural and civil engineers. 

This week we bring you another case study, this time of our recently completed educational expansion at John Port Spencer Academy in Etwall, Derbyshire.

Thinking Buildings were initially appointed by the Spencer Academy Trust to develop a site-wide masterplan to expand the John Port Spencer Academy school in order to provide additional pupil places. The eventual masterplan includes the Post 16 building, a new large car park, internal remodelling of an existing administrative and art building to create additional teaching space, a new dining building, and a new science building. The car park and art phases are complete, and the construction of the new science building is about to start, following the successful completion of this Post 16 building. 

We have some great photos which showcase the design of the building and the full case study can be viewed here. We are thriving in our education sector at the moment and we look forward to bringing you more news from several other current school expansions in due course.

Ahead of another full case study soon to be added to our website, a little teaser image of our recently competed Post 16 building at John Port School in Derbyshire. This is a fantastic new facility and centre point for the schools sixth form provision. The building is purposely collegiate and grown up in its feel and appearance, a key feature of which is the colonnaded entrance, a theme that will be carried through to the new science building that started on site at the same school earlier this month.

We look forward to bringing you updates on the new science building soon.