Waltham Forest: the value of expert advice

The London Borough of Waltham Forest, north-east London, is using the £50 million investment it is receiving through BSF to transform schools across the borough.

Dramatic entrance

Frederick Bremer features a stunning atrium entrance space with a library projecting from above.

Frederick Bremer School by Penoyre and Prasad © Tim Crocker www.timcrocker.co.uk

It wants to make the school estate more efficient and better equipped to help young people succeed.

Three secondary school projects form the first phase of the programme: one, Frederick Bremer, merges two existing schools into a new building on a new site. The other two, Kelmscott and Waltham Forest School for Girls, are refurbishments.

The BSF project team established a vision for each school. CABE enabler Steven Pidwill’s expert knowledge steered the borough through procurement, helping it shortlist three bidders. As part of their submissions, the bidders used a version of CABE’s design quality indicator tool. Juries made up of senior representatives from the three schools and the project team assessed presentations. After shortlisting, the enabler offered independent advice on the designs.

Mike Rush, strategic design leader at Waltham Forest, says: ‘CABE’s advice on the designs was invaluable.’

He says CABE generated enthusiasm: ‘As a critical friend, CABE raised expectations in the schools and the BSF team. It helped unify commitment to achieving design quality, despite the time, budget and procurement constraints.’

Construction on Frederick Bremer and Kelmscott schools finished in September 2008. Frederick Bremer has a dramatic atrium space leading from the entrance into the depths of the site, with a library projecting above. At Kelmscott, an extension housing the reception, assembly hall, dining halls, computer suite and café has transformed the relationship between the school and the street. Kelmscott has received a national award from Partnerships for Schools for ‘best design for a remodelled school’.