The Avon Valley School & Performing Arts College
Warwickshire
The Avon Valley School & Performing Arts College
Following best practice methodologies, and to future proof the The Avon Valley School & Performing Arts College as much as possible, all of the teaching accommodation was designed to the then DFES guidelines with the design based on the Building Schools for the Future and Academy principles.
“It is to BBLB’s great credit, that the Headteacher’s vision for the school’s future has not only come to fruition, but has more than fulfilled all ambitions”.Angela Smith, The Avon Valley School Director of Building
The plans also had to take into account the fact that Avon Valley would be a specialist Performing Arts College, offering the potential for post 16 education in the future. Therefore, in addition to the usual classrooms, library, dining hall, sports facilities and administrative space, BBLB’s designs encompassed a theatre and drama & dance halls and even provided for an external amphitheatre in the grounds of the school.
“The specialist nature of the school should be apparent and the infrastructure must engage all learners from the outset. Circulation and social areas must be key features, without losing the sense of togetherness. Discrete hidden areas should be kept to a minimum and there should be a welcome feeling to the school. The building must remain an exemplar for years to come”.
Don O’Neill, Headteacher, The Avon Valley School
The building achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating through the use of passive design and sustainable technologies including natural light introduced to the internal street by glazing between each teaching wing and the inclusion of an atrium.
