Spout Lane, Washington, NE37 2AA

Tel: 0191 219 3845,   Fax: 0191 219 3848

email: Washington.School@schools.sunderland.gov.uk

Overview

The complete new build of Washington School will create an opportunity to provide a new school fit for the education of its pupils in the 21st Century and enable the school to enhance its place as a key hub school in Washington.

School information

Figures based on the September 2008 school census

Construction: Complete new build

Designer / Builder: Balfour Beatty Construction (Northern) Limited

The replacement of the Washington School buildings is considered the only viable option for this BSF project. Washington School is in poor condition and relies heavily on modular buildings in key curriculum areas. There are no areas that can be retained for future use and a new school building is urgently required if the school is to fulfil its vision for 21st Century transformation teaching and learning. Works will be the construction of new building, demolition of existing buildings and construction of external play areas, car parking and footpaths. The new school will be built on the existing site.

Located on the main route into the city of Sunderland, Washington School is a bold architectural statement that embodies the Council’s vision for transformational learning in the 21st Century. The building embraces the surrounding landscape, its green roof is punctuated by a multitude of roof lights over triple height spaces. This new centre for learning acts as a beacon for the school, the community and the council.

However, this centre for learning is more than it looks - more Tardis than Starship Enterprise, the building has been conceived from inside out in direct response to the client and end user vision.

As a result of comprehensive consultation with the local community, staff, parents, pupils and governors the school has identified the need for pupil social spaces and the provision of high quality dining facilities as key objectives. Form truly follows function.

Intrinsic to the proposals was the embodiment of the school’s vision, that every student must be able to “feel welcome, safe and endure a sense of belonging”. This concept is embodied in the ‘heart’ of the school, an inspirational triple height space that forms the focus of activity within and from which individual learning hubs for each of the ‘schools within a school’ connect. Also linked into the central heart space are the main volumes of the sports hall and associated facilities, and performance hall and drama department.

There is also a commitment to enhance the already well developed school intranet system and the school is part of a pilot programme for the implementation of a partnership VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) with other Washington Schools and the City of Sunderland College.

The school is a designated Specialist School of Technology and will be developed as a hub for Vocational Catering programmes.

Click here to fly through the new Washington School

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