Barlow High School is a 900 place 11 to 16 Catholic High School and part of Wave 4 of Manchester City Council’s BSF Programme. The existing school was initially constructed in the 1960’s but had been extended in a very ad-hoc manner over the years without the benefit of a masterplan. As a result, the campus was inward looking and claustrophobic.

The project involved the demolition of certain existing buildings to open up a central courtyard. The courtyard was then enclosed with the construction of a new two-storey science block. The courtyard is sensitively landscaped to create a vibrant and active space which acts as the central circulation and social focus which previously the school did not have. In addition to the new science block, a new main entrance/reception block was created to transform the approach to the school and along with a new student services building within the hub of the new courtyard.  Most of the remaining buildings, which represented approximately 70% of the total estate, were totally remodelled and refurbished.

Due to intelligent planning, the school continued to deliver the curriculum throughout the construction period.