Waverley School – Education Projects – Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

Set within the context of the largest, most progressive BSF programme in the country, Waverley School combines research into the nature of learning clusters and open plan learning in order to set standards for subsequent waves of Birmingham’s BSF schools. Three multi-storey finger-like blocks – connected by stepped landscape terraces and glazed bridges above – are placed side-by-side on a sloping site. The central block is higher than those either side to announce the civic presence of the school while the outer edge blocks are scaled down to sit more comfortably with their suburban neighbours. Inside, self-contained learning clusters defined by year group or specialist subject are positioned in pairs according to adjacency requirements. Integrating 630 primary, 900 secondary and 64 special needs pupils with shared-use community facilities and a range of outdoor spaces, the project is the first all-through school in the city.