A FREE school due to open in Hoole next year has revealed plans of how its preferred building could look.
The team behind St Martin's Academy have identified the former CBS Purchasing building on Hoole Road as the site they hope to develop into a primary school in time to welcome a class of 25 reception age children in September 2013.
At an open evening last Thursday, North West Academies director Steve Docking shared images of how he sees the building working as a school if planning permission is granted next month.
He said: “We want it to reflect the type of education St Martin's pupils will receive, we want to create a fresh, exciting and vibrant environment.”
Key areas of development include the creation of a curved classroom block at the rear of the original building, designed to follow the track of the sun throughout the day.
Nick Wheeler, of Insite Architecture, said: “The ethos behind this is that this will provide light, bright and airy teaching spaces which will provide an excellent educational environment.
“We are committed to encompassing some of the latest ecological design principles to lessen the environmental impact of the building and help create a feeling of environmental responsibility within our pupils.”
Other elements of the proposed design include:
A central multi-use circulation space to be used as a hall, dining area and meeting space.
State-of-the-art £150,000 ICT suite utilising the latest in touch-screen technology.
Three separate external play areas over 1000 m2.
Green ‘living’ roof top surfaces
Purpose-built, contemporary classrooms and communal areas that will aim to blend with the historic nature of the original building
Mural wall to playground area
New footpath link from Alexandra Park and All Saints Church
Mr Wheeler added: “Our classrooms are the key areas which will face south, overlooking the playground. They will be accessed by a glazed circulation space which will flow into the larger circulation space.”
Although the designs are subject to planning permission, Mr Docking claims the basic principles behind the development will remain the same.
He said: “We want St Martin's to encompass the latest in educational thinking, a modern environment for the modern learner. But a sense of being part of a school family, a place of nurture and care, will form the foundations of our success.”
