LOM hosted a research and development workshop with head teachers from primary schools in the London Borough of Harrow, on 16 September, to find out what they thought was essential in the design of future primary schools.
The heads, who all have experience of school expansions and the current design standards defined by government, discussed the alternatives to the current BB103 approach. Facilitated by Simon Bird (director of LOM) and Emily Cassel (architect at LOM) the workshop considered scale free schools and learning town concepts.
The workshop discussed:
- the importance of vision;
- pride and identity;
- role of flexibility;
- legacy of capital investment;
- importance of community;
- opportunities for co-location;
- practicalities of Inspections;
- security and safeguarding; and
- day-to-day management of spaces to deliver the curriculum.
We concluded with a presentation of LOM’s Exploratory School concept which proposes an alternative approach to delivering schools. The workshop was held at Cedars Youth & Community Centre, a multi-purpose community facility designed by LOM for Watford FC.
If you would like to attend our next Future Schools workshop please get in touch with Simon Bird.