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Building schools for the future

Ryburn Valley High School

The overriding consideration when developing the original proposal was to allow the scheme to develop in such a way that little or no decanting of students was necessary.  The proposed design located the relatively large building into the approximate centre of the site, maximising the potential of the single largest 'enclosure' on the site.  This allowed construction work to be carried out entirely free of any existing buildings, by creating construction access from a point on St Peter's Avenue.

Access to the site was zoned in order to limit the meeting of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.  Where they do meet, clear crossing points with built-out kerbs for clear views along the entrance road were provided.  There are three main pedestrian routes into the site; one at the vehicular entrance, one at the vehicular exit and a third in the middle to be used by pupils that may be dropped off along St Peter's Avenue by parents, etc.  Therefore the main pedestrian routes in and around the site are separated from, and only come into contact with, the vehicular routes at the points of a dedicated road crossing.

The one-way access road into the site is used as access to the car park for staff and visitors and for the bus drop off (through the provision of six dedicated lay-bys).

The location of the new school building was selected so as to retain as many of the existing mature trees as possible with the required number of sports pitches arranged to either side of the building.

The main entrance to the school building is flanked by the sports hall and performance hall.  The scale of the sports hall has been reduced through the use of a relatively low roof pitch.  This space has been located to the western edge of the site so that it is further away from neighbouring properties.  The areas to the front of the school were 'softened' through the introduction of landscaping around the car park area.

The main teaching rooms were positioned to the south, thereby utilising nature daylight and maximising views over the Calder Valley and ensuring that the building is able to step down the site with the three-storey accommodation at the lower level.

The H-plan of the scheme locates the dining, library and private staff accommodation at the heart of the school with the teaching blocks extending from this central location within two wings.  This is to enable the school to expand its six main departments in the future at the same time without affecting the every-day running of the school.

The sixth form accommodation is located in a wing away from the lower school teaching rooms ensuring that the department has its own independent identity separate from the rest of the school with its own entrance and common room.

The two main teaching wings of accommodation provide a natural protective enclosure to the external south facing play area, which can be accessed from the building at several points at ground floor level.  This area is further enhanced through the inclusion of planting to the perimeter of the site.

This is the largest of all the PFI secondary schools in Calderdale and its physical location ensures that maximum advantage has been taken to ensure views across the Ryburn Valley area has been achieved.

© Image supplied by Aedas

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