Central Foundation Boys’ School by HawkinsBrown

Central Foundation Boys’ School, a top-performing non-selective comprehensive school, has transformed its inner-city campus, providing state-of-the-art learning facilities for students between years 7-11 and sixth form.

Over the last 150 years, seven buildings (incl. a former Tabernacle Chapel and Grade II-listed County Court) had been brought together into one school campus around a central courtyard. The result was an ad hoc collection of spaces that were no longer fit for purpose. The phased campus redevelopment sought to rationalize and consolidate the school’s accommodation to allow more efficient use of the buildings, while keeping the school operational throughout. The new facilities include new science laboratories and a subterranean sports hall, with existing buildings retained and refurbished.

The project was delivered through a complex funding mix, including funding from the DfE (as part of the Priority School Building Programme) and proceeds from the inclusion of an eight-storey commercial building within the masterplan.