The extension, refurbishment and upgrade of the Grade II Listed Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School was driven by Northamptonshire County Council’s (NCC’s) re-organisation of schools from a 3 tier system to 2 tier system. In the case of Kingsthorpe Grove, this meant the development from a 2FE lower school into 470 place 2FE primary school, including a nursery for children aged 3-4, plus an expansion to the existing Designated Special Provision (DSP) for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder to cover the whole primary age range. In addition to the expansion was the requirement to upgrade the condition of the existing Grade II Listed buildings in order to meet the needs of a modern educational environment.
Awards
Best Small Commercial Building at the South Wales Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards
3R Awards (Refurb, Rethink, Retrofit) Finalist for Best Further Education Refurbishment
Retrofit)
The building was well received by staff and pupils and is well-used by the local community. The new Children’s Centre, converted from a disused out-building is particularly successful and is operating at full capacity. The re-orientation of the school’s main entrance away from the busy Kingsthorpe Grove road has significantly increased the safety of children arriving and leaving the school and provides a new welcoming, uplifting entrance space.
