Devonshire Primary School: using the concept of a beehive to create self-contained learning spaces

Case study

The innovative building at Devonshire Primary School is based on the unique ‘beehive school’ concept where self-contained learning areas are built alongside and on top of each other, maximising the ground space available. New indoor/outdoor areas take advantage of the natural landscape while providing greater opportunities for collaborative learning and contributing to rising student improvement.

Key facts

Type of school: primary
Number on roll: 482
Headteacher: Neil Hodgkins
Cost of development: £7.5 million
Date completed: September 2006

Background

In August 2003, the old Victorian building that was Devonshire Road Junior School was destroyed by fire. It was decided to amalgamate the infant and junior schools, to build a new state-of-the-art school on the existing site.

Vision

The vision for the new school was to be different, exciting and innovative, ensuring a positive impact on teaching and standards.

Stakeholders

It was important to work with stakeholders at every stage to ensure the end product was supported by everybody, including parents and the local community. The junior school had been a landmark building in Blackpool and so there was some opposition to the new building. It was therefore important to win over the community.

Consultation

The headteacher and architect worked together to ensure that the whole design and build process remained focused on learning. The concept of the learning areas was to be a main feature of the school but the final design was shaped very much by the way the headteacher ensured the vision for the beehive build reflected the school’s vision for learning.

Members of the school visited other innovative schools, pupils were listened to, and consultation evenings were held for parents and the community.

Transformational change

Adopting a beehive design enabled the architects to build a more futuristic building in which pupils feel safe and of which parents and the community are proud. The learning houses are transformational in providing new learning opportunities for pupils.

Each learning area has its own classroom with two break-out rooms. Each has its own toilets where pupils can decide to go to when they need to and not when a bell rings. Immediately adjacent to each classroom is a covered outdoor area with soft flooring and outdoor play equipment. There are also additional adjoining rooms with cooking facilities and areas for special needs groups or health visitors to use. Corridors are wide and painted with bright yet warm colours, and the temperature in every room remains constant throughout the year. Each classroom faces north and has a panoramic vista. Outdoor play areas all face south, making the most of the hours of sunshine. There is a rooftop garden complete with pond and growing areas. In the centre is a weather station whose readings can be taken from a large electronic display board on the ground floor.

Lessons learned

Plenty of time at the beginning of a design programme is essential. Also, involving stakeholders in every stage of the process.

Impact

The indoor/outdoor areas have provided greater opportunities for collaborative learning and teachers now make full use of the increased collaborative play areas. The school also feels there has been a positive impact on parents, the local community and . The school is confident that the new building has contributed greatly to improvements in standards.