Waseley Hills High School

Delivered over three carefully planned phases on a live school campus, the project involved replacing ageing buildings with two new teaching blocks, specialist learning spaces and a dedicated Special Educational Needs department.

Having worked collaboratively with the DfE, school leadership and the local planning authority, the design was refined to enhance the campus layout, improve community access to sports facilities and create inspiring learning environments. Designed to DfE Spec 21 standards, the new school provides sustainable, modern educational facilities that support both academic achievement and long term community use.

The project comprised the phased demolition of the existing school buildings and construction of two new two storey teaching blocks while uninterrupted school operations were maintained throughout.

The new facilities included general and specialist classrooms, dining areas, Special Educational Needs provision, external landscaping and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).

Delivered to DfE Spec 21 and net zero carbon standards, the development incorporated air source heat pumps, natural ventilation with heat recovery, thermal mass construction and 723 photovoltaic panels to create a fully electric campus, with gas retained only for specialist science laboratories. Extensive external works included new drainage infrastructure, hard landscaping and sustainable site improvements.

Careful decant planning, stakeholder coordination and phased handovers enabled teaching and learning to continue safely while construction progressed.

Innovation was key to the delivery of Waseley Hills High School from the earliest design stages. Early contractor and supply chain involvement enabled thermal modelling, structural optimisation and coordinated mechanical and electrical (M&E) design to achieve the project’s ambitious net zero carbon objectives. The building integrated natural ventilation with heat recovery units, air source heat pumps, thermal mass and 723 photovoltaic panels to maximise operational efficiency.

Detailed ground investigations were undertaken during the pre construction period which informed a value engineered piled foundation solution, and improved programme certainty while reducing construction costs. The design was further enhanced through bespoke architectural features, which included a refined roof profile, upgraded façade treatments and specialist finishes within teaching spaces. Collaborative planning with the DfE and local authority also enabled the campus layout to be redesigned, improving safeguarding and creating dedicated community access to sports facilities without compromising operational efficiency.