Learning spaces at Westminster Academy

Table tennis in the London Break Out Space

X-Biking in the London Break Out Space

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westminster Academy, built by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), was awarded the RIBA Sorrell Foundation Schools Award 2008 on 11 October 2008. The Academy opened in 2006 and moved into the new building in September 2007.It has specialist status in International Business and Enterprise and is fully DCSF-funded, through the City Academies programme. The Academy started offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme in September 2008.

The RIBA Sorrell Foundation Schools Award is presented to the architect of the best school-primary or secondary-with the aim of raising the standard of design in all school building. The aim of the Sorrell Foundation is to inspire creativity in young people and improve the quality of life through good design.

X Biking in London Break out Space

Beijing Break out space used for a business class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westminster Academy is cleverly designed to help the students learn. Our curriculum is innovative, designed to allow maximum student choice of courses even if that means classes of only a few students. This is only possible because of the wide variety of spaces the building contains. There is the Long Room which can either be one huge space, or divided into six classrooms, or any combination in-between. The Green Room which is an auditorium type space, and a number of innovative ‘break out’ spaces which can be used for  small groups doing concentrated work, displays, even sports. The break out spaces have white boards which can be used to write on, project onto, or hang displays. All the students who did very well in GCSEs this year mentioned the break out spaces and the ease of finding quiet places to study, as key to their exam success. This year The Academy gained an improvement at GCSE from 23% to 43% 5+ A*-Cs.

The building also has anytime, anywhere wireless technology so students’ use of ICT is not restricted solely to computer rooms. Small classes can be held in our Global Café, which is run by the 6th formers as a coffee bar in the morning and also used to cater for conferences.
The Market Place is a huge atrium space which can be used for sports (tai kwon do, dance, fencing), assemblies and drama performances. It is also perfect for conferences, with space for stalls and demonstrations. State of the art acoustics and sound proofing allow major events to take place without disturbing normal lessons and also blocks traffic noise from the nearby A40.

Beijing break out spaces used for a business class

Using the Tokyo break out space for display

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Westminster Academy is more than just a school. Academy Sports, our state of the art sports centre is designed so students use it during school hours and after school and the public can access it from a separate entrance after 5pm and on weekends. The previously derelict land underneath the A40 Westway flyover has been transformed into covered all weather sports pitches. This means that PE is never cancelled even in the heavy rain. A variety of sports are offered throughout the day, at lunchtime and after school. The Academy’s community branch, Academy Com works with the surrounding community to use the building to facilitate their needs. The building is used for cultural events, exhibitions and supplementary language schools, reinforcing that the community is interested in what takes place in the building and our students look outwards to serve the community.

A dance class in the Market Place

Students, teachers, local residents and staff of the Academy are inspired by the building. As one student said recently, ‘I feel taller when I walk through the door’. It is innovative design and how The Academy uses the building that is making such a difference to our students.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ms Maureen Pepper is the Culture and Communications Manager at Westminster Academy, in London, England, United Kingdom.

 

Go to top of page     Go to online discussion