Fresh curriculum

• Further resources

John Ferneley: how a school layout supports the curriculum

Website

www.johnferneley.org.uk

Key challenges

• What is the impact of defining learning zones as a way of teaching?
• How can we embed the educational vision into the design of learning spaces, resources and environments?
• Is building design a shared responsibility? If so, who is involved - teachers, governors, parents, support staff, children, the local community, local businesses?

Overview:

John Ferneley, a middle school for 526 students aged 11 - 14, has been re-designated as an 11-18 school with effect from September 2009.

This gives the school an opportunity to create a wider, sustainable learning environment where the building and surroundings become part of the learning process.

Approach:

The "Schools for the future: Exemplar Designs concepts and ideas" (2004) of possible school layouts was used to decide the best approach in terms of sustainability.

The process included workshops with students, teachers and parents, regular visits to other new schools and meetings with the Head. Discussions followed about what kind of environments were liked and, later, about the initial proposals.

Environmental and usability issues were thoroughly explored, and wherever possible the space made accessible for teaching use. Pedagogical aspects were advised by the stakeholders.

Five learning zones

The new school, to the north of the current site, is planned around five learning zones, each designed to engage and excite students. It will also incorporate the latest environmental features including a wind turbine, a rainwater recycling system and energy efficient heating and lighting. The design maximises daylight and ventilation, while the grounds encourage biodiversity by using recycling schemes.

The courtyards are all sheltered; the roof, which is designed to support a green roof (plants), incorporates teaching spaces.

The new school also offers out-of-hours use: hosting Young Farmers meetings, a premier league youth team, summer camp and aerobic lessons. Parents are welcome throughout the day for coffee.

An overhaul for the curriculum

The school redesigned its curriculum around the five zones (Discovery includes all sciences; Communication is English and languages; Enterprise is design and technology, and food technology; Performance is arts, music and drama; and Culture includes history and geography).

Students spend half a day in each zone, staying in the classrooms while the teachers move around. All the lessons per half-term are themed, for example if studying Romans the lessons would include their history, geography, food, art and so on.

Key points and recommendations:

• Create a vision as soon as possible and share it, the creating your vision tool could be used for this.
• Involve stakeholders throughout, for example, give students the design and encourage them to comment and extend the proposal, for example by teaching and giving time to use Sketch Up (www.sketchup.google.com/). Ensure that they understand their suggested features may not be in the final build.
• Build enough time into the process to discover the stakeholders views in sufficient depth and check these throughout the process.

John Ferneley level 0 floor plan John Ferneley entrance