Coundon Court School, Coventry

Coundon Court is a high-achieving secondary school and specialist technology college to the north west of Coventry. It occupies semi-rural parkland setting in designated green belt on the Coundon Wedge, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The locally listed Old House provides the administrative heart of the campus and focus of activities.

We were appointed to design dedicated post-16 and performing arts facilities, accessible for the secondary cohort. Studies demonstrated that the site constraints highlighted only two areas for possible development - an existing ‘enclosed’ playground to a residential boundary, and the site of the existing sixth form college. The sensitivities presented by the green belt meant that close liaison with local conservation societies was key. Open, honest and transparent communication, formally and informally, was necessary to ensure that the needs of both parties and the environment were met.

"Good architecture educates. Schools need more of this kind of building"

- John Vickers, Head Teacher at Coundon Court School

The development was built on the playground. The proposed SFC occupies the site of the existing post-16 centre, adjacent to an original, neglected pond, which has been refurbished and brought back into use. A community open evening, prior to submission of the planning application, drew widespread interest.

The conservation society was supportive and believed that the designs went a long way towards improving the building and worked well with the green belt.