The new self-contained building is part of the school’s 10-year development plan to support its ‘one school’ vision
Leading independent prep school in Hertfordshire, Edge Grove, has just announced ambitious plans to invest £3m in building a brand new, self-contained lower school facility, in the heart of the school’s 28-acre grounds. Work on the new, state-of-the-art lower school is scheduled to begin this summer 2018 and due to open in Autumn 2019 in line with the new school year.
Reinforcing Edge Grove’s ‘one school’ vision, the project involves the relocation of the lower school (Years 3 and 4) into a new contemporary and sustainable building. Located to the west of the playground, the innovative building will boast a curved roof with welcoming porch that integrates the multipurpose hall of the new lower school with the main school grounds. The facility will include six spacious new classrooms, a multi-function main hall with an open-plan library, meeting room, reading and breakout areas as well as new toilet facilities for both staff and pupils.
Ben Evans, headmaster at Edge Grove School, commented on the expansion of the lower school: “Since its establishment as a local preparatory school in 1935, Edge Grove has grown considerably and temporary buildings were added over time to cater for the growing number of pupils and their needs. Over time, teaching methods as well as the curriculum have changed and continue to evolve as schools react to the times they live in to prepare children for new realities and exigencies – without losing what is worth preserving. Change is not an option; it is an educational need and we are very excited about the new facility and the wonderful learning environment and subsequent opportunities it will create for our pupils and staff.”
Both temporary classrooms along with the former Scout Hut will be removed during the development. A new pedestrian route will also be created to the rear of the school to improve pupil movement around the site.
Mr Evans continued: “Our vision is for a new, contemporary designed and sustainable lower school building. As teaching methods and practices change over time, space requirements for schools are changing too. New school buildings must take into consideration the ways teachers and pupils interact with each other and amongst themselves before, during and between lessons. Classrooms also need to accommodate flexible furniture layouts to enable group work and allow active circulation.”
In line with the school’s commitment to providing first-class, innovative learning facilities for its pupils, this announcement follows the recent opening of Edge Grove’s new Pre-School facility in September 2017, a building designed specifically for its youngest pupils.
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