Top 10 Learning Spaces of 2015
To celebrate the start of a New Year, we take a look back at our top 10 learning spaces of 2015. From futuristic science laboratories at Penwortham Priory to a 'learning commons' at Abertilery Comprehensive School, we have designed, manufactured and installed the WOW factor at hundreds of schools up and down the country.
Take a look at our Top 10 Learning Spaces ...
1. Penwortham Priory Academy
When it comes to science, Penwortham Priory Academy aims high. It’s here in 2014 that 13 year old Jamie Edwards became the youngest person in the world to create nuclear fusion.
To continue to fire students’ enthusiasm for science, the school wanted to transform their existing labs into cutting edge learning spaces as part of a £750,000 investment project.
Penwortham’s aim was to create an open plan learning environment to support more collaborative teaching styles and increase student engagement with STEM subjects. Working closely with the school to follow the brief, education interiors specialists Innova Design Group have delivered a truly exciting and inspirational learning space.
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2. Manchester High School for Girls
With a history dating back to the 1870s, Manchester High School for Girls ranks as one of the best girls’ schools in the country, and has produced an alumni including leading geneticists, medics and physicians.
Briefed to create state-of-the-art labs to sit at the heart of this historic school, Innova Design Group worked with staff and students to develop contemporary labs that really worked for staff and students.
3. Finchley Catholic High School
For the first time in the school’s 89 year history, Finchley Catholic wanted to introduce a dedicated food technology room to support the reintroduction of the subject into the school’s curriculum.
With a brief to create a “WOW” factor which not only impresses the young chefs of tomorrow but also provide a showcase for the school’s community – Innova was delighted to work with the school to create a multi-functional food technology room to match the schools long history of ambition and excellence.
4. Abertillery Comprehensive High School
As part of the Welsh Assembly’s Schools Challenge Cymru initiative to improve performance in Welsh schools, the former library space at Abertillery School in Gwent has been transformed.
Inspired by the learning commons model, which replaces the traditional library with a shared space for individual study, online education, reading and group work, education interiors specialist Innova Design Group has created a learning environment designed to deliver Challenge Cymru’s aim of swift and positive improvements for pupils.
5. Giggleswick School
Set in the picturesque countryside of North Yorkshire, Giggleswick School has a history stretching back to the 16th century. Founded in 1512, the school moved to its current site in the 1860s and includes buildings dating back 140 years.
Working closely with staff and students at the school, education interiors specialists Innova Design Group created a lab that maximised space and minimised clutter, yet still gave staff and students the room to circulate easily and move quickly from theory to practical.
6. Bellerbys College
Part of the Study Group, Bellerbys operates across eight campuses and prepares over 1,250 international students for university entry every year.
In keeping with Study Group’s transformation scheme, Bellerbys wanted to reformat its science facilities to reflect changes in teaching and learning styles, and was looking for stylish, state of the art labs and prep rooms.
Working to a timescale of just a few weeks, Innova provided a full contract management service to guarantee work on each of the six laboratories ran smoothly.
7. Dulwich Prep School
When a school has a reputation as prestigious as Dulwich Prep London, creating state of the art science labs to match its ethos of ambition and excellence demands great expertise, attention to detail and outstanding design.
To compliment the striking glass fronted building created by architects Lee Evans Partnership and building contractors Quinn London, education interior specialists Innova were asked to design contemporary, high quality science laboratories, food technology, design technology rooms and support facilities which would echo the school’s forward thinking philosophy.
8. Southlands High School
We were excited to re-visit Southlands High School in October to find out how the new food technology rooms were impacting teaching and learning at the school.
The new stimulating, functional food technology rooms really optimise space, offering practical cooking areas and demonstration zones as well as areas for written work.
9. Denstone College
With ageing furniture, an outdated, cluttered layout and a lack of storage space, the school’s chemistry labs required modernisation to meet the demands of the modern curriculum and meets the college’s future requirements.
Working closely with Denstone, Innova used a ‘Hot Corner’ design to deliver practical, modern labs to inspire students for a lifetime of science learning.
10. Vision West Nottinghamshire College
As a major provider of post 16 education and training for students and businesses across north Nottinghamshire, Vision West College requires cutting edge facilities to meet the aims and ambitions of their learners.
Vision West wanted to invest in facilities for its science and electronics laboratories to create an environment which would mirror that of a professional workspace.
We hope you enjoyed our Top 10 Learning Spaces! Our team are looking forward to completing many more inspirational learning spaces in 2016 and beyond. If you would like to explore more of our case studies visit our case study page here.