The Derby High School- Science Laboratory

New cutting-edge science laboratories

The Derby High School, Bury, North West, is one of the UK’s first Science & Arts Colleges established in 2003. In 2013 Derby High School won both the Excellence in Science and Creativity in the Arts prizes at the TES annual awards. As science is at the forefront of the school’s curriculum and the results are continuing to improve, a fund raising programme to seek financial support was set up with new and existing partners, with the aim of updating three of their 1950’s science laboratories to new cutting edge learning environments.

The Brief

In the pursuit of creating inspiring learning spaces, the school was looking to update their tired and worn out classrooms to inspirational facilities that would last for years to come. The challenges the school faced was that in a number of laboratories, the positioning of the utilities and layout of tables did not provide the best working environment for practical study.

Perimeter storage was a key feature in the designs of the classroom as it provided extra space to store equipment and glassware – freeing up valuable desk space and minimising distractions.  

High quality Trespa work tops were used to guarantee a timeless feel, as well as provide durable, low maintenance surfaces throughout.

Following a lengthy process, 5 years from the initial enquiry to Innova and for the school to secure funding for the laboratories, Innova stood out from the competition based on our unique designs and the placement of the utilities which helped give the room a ‘wow’ factor with pupils.

“Innova were very accommodating and understanding considering the timescale involved in finding all of the funding. Your design work helped us to secure interest in the project.”  Paul Kerr, Head of Science