New Teaching Block
Carlton le Willows Academy
Gedling, Nottinghamshire
The academy was expanding from 8 forms of entry to 12. The increased student numbers, additional staff, and merger with another academy trust meant additional education and working environments needed to be created.
The school was split across two buildings known as West and East Block respectively. The split site was a legacy from when an upper and lower school occupied the site.
Building new school facilities is essential for fostering a better learning environment. Modern, well-equipped schools provide students with the tools and resources needed to succeed, from advanced technology to safer, more accessible spaces.
Updated facilities also improve teacher effectiveness and morale, while accommodating growing student populations and enhancing community engagement.
Ultimately, investing in new school buildings ensures that future generations have the opportunity to thrive in a dynamic, supportive educational setting.
Design Strategy
The agreed strategy to unify the site, any alleviate existing access issues, was to create a central entry building, referred to as South Block.
The South Block building works included the creation of:
- New Student and Staff Entrance with Pedestrian Zebra Crossing
- Car Park with Electric Vehicle Charging Points
- Reception with Staff Offices
- Meeting Rooms
- 8 General Teaching Classrooms
- 8 IT Classrooms
- 350 Person Occupancy Performance Hall with Retractable Seating, Storage, and Theatrical Lighting
- 400 Person Occupancy Dining Hall and Commercial Kitchen
- Staff Work Bases and Breakout Lounge
New Table Tennis Centre
Carlton le Willows Academy
Gedling, Nottinghamshire
The existing school building was extended to create a national standard table tennis centre. Providing an extensive PE and extra curricular table tennis programme, as well as being used for national competition, national team training and for recreational use by the wider community.
Built with support from Table Tennis England, the centre provides the perfect platform for players to develop their table tennis skills from beginner to elite performance.
The purpose-built centre, which has up to 12 tables a viewing area and small café, allows players to train every day, with access to professional coaching with the aim of developing players who can compete on a local, national and international level.
Through the centre, Carlton le Willows is also making table tennis partnerships with national and international clubs, as well as fostering links with universities, both here in Nottingham and as far afield as Ningbo in China.
Enhanced Teaching Provision
Carlton le Willows Academy
Gedling, Nottinghamshire
Many students face challenges in thriving within the fast-paced and sometimes overwhelming school environment. To address this, we worked with the academy to secure funding for the creation of an Enhanced Performance Unit (EPU).
The EPU was designed with smaller class sizes in mind, allowing staff to offer personalized attention and support in a more focused setting.
The unit features two teaching spaces and a staff office. The design prioritizes creating a calming atmosphere, while also fostering a connection with the surrounding green playing fields.
