Pupils at a primary school in Grimsby are being given a unique opportunity to design their dream learning environment thanks to a fun project led by the University of Lincoln.
Pupils at Woodlands Primary School recently moved into brand new facilities on the Bradley Park Estate. The new building, which was constructed using an innovative modular design mainly built off-site, was largely funded by the Government’s Priority School Building Programme for schools in deprived areas and in need of repair.
The new school opened in April 2014, however at its heart is a large Atrium which is currently a vacant space.
Guided by students from the University of Lincoln’s School of Architecture & Design, the young pupils are now being invited to help create a fun and educational multi-functional Atrium design.
The 24 University students, currently studying on the second year of Lincoln’s Interior Architecture & Design programme, will form groups and meet with the pupils later this month to develop their ideas, before compiling final proposals, detailing recommended materials, costs and processes.
The students will then return to Woodlands Primary School in January 2015 to present their ideas and ask the staff and pupils to select their preferred design. The winning proposal could then be put into development, and the young design teams could see their plans come to fruition next year.
Rosie Elvin, Programme Leader for Interior Architecture & Design at the University of Lincoln, said: “We are delighted to be working with Woodlands Primary School to create and implement an exciting new Atrium design. The students will be working with staff and pupils to ensure the space meets all of their educational and recreational needs.
“We very much enjoy undertaking socially conscious projects, particularly when they provide great benefits to the local region. It is extremely valuable for our students to work on live ventures such as this, where they gain experience of the commercial world of architecture while working closely with local communities.”
Throughout the project, the designers will look to utilise sustainable products and engage local suppliers and construction companies.
Assistant Head at Woodlands Primary School, Sarah Forrester, said: “We want the Atrium to be the ‘heart’ of the school and we are very excited to be working with the University of Lincoln to design this. We envisage that the space will be used for whole school gatherings, small group work and provide a welcoming and interactive reading zone.
“Our children are always central to everything we do so it is fantastic that they, together with our dedicated staff team, will be so involved with the design project. The school environment is one of our most powerful learning tools, and most of all, we feel an obligation to future generations of children to make this school the best it can be.”
The design process will begin on Wednesday 17th December 2014 when the University of Lincoln staff and students visit Woodlands Primary School to discuss initial design ideas.