What a busy school year it’s been

Teachers across the UK are relaxing into their well-earned summer break, recharging their energy levels for September and, no doubt, reflecting upon the busy year just passed. The Learning Escape team are also in a reflective mood after an extremely busy, and rewarding, year.

And what a year it has been.

We have constructed more than twenty buildings to accommodate over 1350 pupils, including four nurseries, ten new primary classrooms and two large blocks for secondary schools. In addition we have built learning spaces for students with special educational needs; a fantastic training facility for teachers and a multi-purpose eco-classroom for Cambridge University’s Botanical Schools’ Garden. We are proud of what we have achieved this year and would like to share with you a taste of what we have created.

Sacred Heart School in Coventry became a national teaching school, following their outstanding Ofsted in September 2013, and they wanted a dedicated training facility that was separate from the main school building to minimise disruption. The head teacher said: “The training facility is stunning. It fits in perfectly with our conservation area, looking out onto our playing fields which are surrounded by mature trees. It provides a dynamic space for delegates to attend training courses, whilst allowing regular school life to continue undisturbed.”

The staff at the Cambian Pengwern College, a specialist further education college in North Wales for young people aged 16 to 25 with a learning disability and complex needs, have really appreciated the difference made by their new suite of classrooms. “The lovely view outside really appeals to all the senses. It’s such a calming environment and I have noticed that the students are much calmer and more engaged. They like the structure of the room: low stimulus really works for our Autistic learners.”

One of our secondary school buildings constituted a large two storey art block for Woolwich Polytechnic, who needed to create more space for their new post-16 provision. They had to find a way to develop more learning space, quite rapidly, for the growing intake and to accommodate the art department that had received ‘outstanding’ status. They wanted to find a way to create an outdoor building that was flexible, sustainable and different and were delighted with their new classrooms. This year we began work on the first of two wing extensions at Woolwich which will provide accommodation for their growing 6^th form. Upon completion the Learning Escape at Woolwich will provide enough space for up to 600 students. "The team at The Learning Escape showed us that a tight budget doesn’t mean that you can’t create a fantastic building. It’s clear that they have years of experience delivering a full service, we didn’t even need to worry about the paperwork."

We would like to thank all of our customers for choosing a Learning Escape and wish you all a peaceful and relaxing summer.