Project description
Sittingbourne established a ‘BSF design think tank’ so that students could inform plans for their new school. As part of the process, students visited recently completed new schools and met with those students to hear about their experiences.
Mixed age groups of students researched and developed ideas together which happens very rarely during school time. Ideas were then fed back to the wider school community of staff, students and governors.
This project has been highly successful and has generated a considerable amount of interest. For instance there is now a planned series of student led workshops for other students. The ‘think tank’ students are also due to work with architecture students from the University of the Creative Arts to further develop ideas for the site and school campus.
Sittingbourne student recording her observations © A&M Photography Ltd
Key stage
Key stages 3-5 (years 7-13)
Curriculum and whole school areas
Building Schools for the Future
PLTS
Learning Outside the Classroom
Learning objectives
For students to learn:
- qualitative research techniques
- how to undertake critical analysis
- how to conduct and manage group project work
- an understanding of the importance of establishing a project brief in this case an architectural brief
- development of presentation techniques
- development of report writing.
Length of project
Selected days between December 2008 to March 2009.
Sittingbourne students visiting other schools © A&M Photography Ltd
What did the learning involve?
Activities
Activity 1
Kent Architecture Centre set the scene for the research and gave an introduction to school design and how to assess school buildings using Design Quality Indicator (DQI) question cards for schools.
Activity 2
Students and staff visited other recently completed new school builds in Kent, including Folkestone Academy. To analyse the buildings, students used the DQI question cards, took photos and video footage of the building and interviewed the students and teachers from those schools.
Activity 3
Back at school, students developed drawings and models of classroom spaces and furniture. They developed ideas on the perfect learning and teaching space.
Activity 4
To engage the wider school stakeholder group, the think tank students created an annotated photo-gallery of the visits to schools and made presentation materials for sharing with the wider school community.
Resources used
- DQI for schools cards by the Kent Architecture Centre
- video and photography equipment
- model making materials
- other school buildings in Kent.
Funding
£1,500 was received as a Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) educational grant.
Students discussing their findings © A&M Photography Ltd
How well were the aims met?
Outcomes
- ability to work as a team and to jointly develop ideas
- the skill of listening to other peoples’ views and the art of discussion
- presentation skills and the ability to articulate concepts
- an appreciation about the complication of designing.
What worked well
- student engagement and collaborative working
- the realisation that learning and teaching is not just about the physical space
- the breadth of thinking and the range of ideas produced.
What didn’t work well
The number of visits had to be cut to restrict the amount of time students were out of lessons.
Comments from teachers and students
‘The project has had an appreciable impact. This project has exceeded expectations.’ Geoff Rutt, College Projects Manager.
‘Working with this activity has been brilliant – our group got to do lots of work making models which used up our ideas. I enjoyed working out of the college and being with students from different years who had different ideas.’ Year 8 student.
‘The project will improve the school and make a real difference.’ Year 10 student.
Further information
- CABE education grants
- Imagine school design database by Partnerships for Schools
- How Places Work resource by CABE
- BRE's education for sustainable development programme
Read the 2008/09 grant winning projects here on Engaging Places:
Constructing a straw bale building at Dr Thomlinson Middle School.
Exploring regeneration at Archbishop Blanch School
School grounds design at Chesham Bois CE Combined School
Playground canopies at Orleton CE Primary School
Community art at Lower Darwen Primary School
