Endeavour Co-operative Academy is a new build school for 120 students aged 4 - 16 with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) in Brentwood Essex, replacing an existing outdated 1960s building.
The design is a linear block that creates a simple building plan for students to independently navigate around, and allows for clear progression as pupils age through the school. The Academy’s ethos is centred around developing independent learning, life skills, practical subjects alongside literacy and numeracy.
Education
Brentwood, Essex, UK
Ongoing
The materials nod to the local vernacular of Essex, with brick and black timber cladding that wraps the elevation, distinguishing the ground floor primary areas from the first floor secondary areas. The main entrance is expressed in a double height cut through the façade, and the schools identity is signified in the design using their branding colours in window frames as a splash of colour.
The surrounding landscape is designed to allow the school an overflow of teaching, dining and play experience – encouraging pupils to move freely and engage with different activities across age groups. External dining and play is interactive across all years so there are few boundaries to the external areas. Horticulture and Design Technology are important skills for the pupils and so these spaces expand into the outdoor learning spaces.
