Evaluation

The two-phase nature of the extension and remodelling of Chaucer School make the project unusual. It has resulted in a project extended over several years, and one that has had an evolving vision as the project moved from a straightforward site consolidation exercise to a vehicle for educational transformation.

The project has certainly achieved the objective of giving the school a completely new image within the Parson Cross community. In terms of achievement, the headteacher has no doubt that the improvements in facilities have had a significant impact on results, and the percentage of students achieving 5 A* - C GCSEs has risen from 20% in 2006 to 49% in 2008.

In terms of plan area, the split of new-build to refurbishment is approximately 60% to 40%. Some of the refurbishment consists of fairly extensive remodelling. At nearly £15m, the total cost of the two phases is approaching that of a complete rebuild. Although there are some compromises as a result of adopting a refurbishment approach, the design overall has a strong coherence, and the plan is straightforward and easy to understand. This is partly the result of having a good masterplan at the beginning of the project, and partly because the original building was well designed and constructed.

One of the consequences of such an extensive project carried out in an occupied school has been several years of disruption. In the short term, this has been a significant problem, and may have contributed to the temporary reduction in achievement at the school over this period. However, this has meant that the school buildings remain in the optimum location on the site, in the heart of the district centre that is soon to have new shopping and other community facilities. Rebuilding would almost inevitably have resulted in the school being stranded in the middle of the site, distant from the community it serves, a common drawback with many recently redeveloped schools.

Historically, central courtyards are a common feature of school designs. At Chaucer, the school students were involved in the design of the space, and it is apparently seen primarily as a social space. The change of levels across the space are both a challenge and an opportunity, but sadly the result is a rather functional and featureless space, devoid of interest, or any planting or greenery.

Overall, this has been a successful remodelling project, and one of which the local authority and school can be proud. The school now has distinctive character, and the school population is rightly proud of the buildings.