“The school has a design technology facility and runs construction courses, which is fairly unusual for a secondary school,” says Paul Raymont


reconfigure rooms, and all services are geared for that. Security turnstyles read swipe cards, which for pupils are multifunctional, carrying lunch money credit, as well as being used to check out library books and use photocopiers and printers. To deter bullying, washroom areas are visible from outside,


there are no dead-end corridors, and all users of the atrium thoroughfare are visible to passing teachers. Sustainability was a priority for the rebuild, and this is reflected


by the choice of materials and renewable energy sources. A hi-tech biomass boiler produces hot water, a bank of photovoltaic panels feed into the electrical system (any surpluses are fed back into the National Grid and raise revenue) and a rainwater harvesting system irrigates the landscaped school grounds. The atrium roof is made of ETFE, as featured in Cornwall’s


Eden Centre. Transparent to ultraviolet light, it emits more natural light than glass. It is 1 per cent the weight of glass and significantly cheaper to install. EFTE is also completely recyclable and self-cleaning. Natural light is utilised to the maximum by large Velfac


windows fitted with low-e flaxing, which makes them highly insulated to reduce heat-loss. In fact, the building is highly insulated and the roof is well in excess of building regulations thermal performance requirements. Extensive glazing could create solar gain problems – particularly for the south elevation – but


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