Overview

Hollybush Primary School has had a significant impact on the lives of its pupils, their parents and the wider community. As well as education for mainstream learners and those with special educational needs, Hollybush provides a wide range of community services including an ICT suite, childcare and a health centre.

Following a review of primary education in 2002, Education Leeds decided to close two under-subscribed primary schools in the Bramley ward in the west of the city, a socially deprived area with a poor built environment and limited access to services. The closed schools would be replaced with an innovative new school that would support the wider community and foster a sense of local pride and unity.

Opened in 2005, Hollybush Primary School accommodates six year groups, two reception classes, an early years centre and rooms for school and community use. The school's West Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) provides education for eight children with complex learning, physical and medical needs. The Hollybush Children's Centre offers childcare for three-to-five year olds, enabling more parents to take up employment or training opportunities. There's also a community room which hosts a mother and toddler group and the school's breakfast and after-school clubs.

The building was designed by Leeds City Council's architectural design services (now the Strategic Design Alliance) and built by Kier Northern. The development cost £4.36 million and funding sources included the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Awards for All scheme and a £280,000 grant from the Children's Centre.

» Background

Background

Falling demand for places

A falling birth rate in Leeds meant that the number of children in primary schools was falling by 1,000-1,500 children per year. In 2002, Education Leeds had around 9,000 surplus places across 241 primary schools. These surplus places were associated with costs that could otherwise be spent on teachers, support staff and other educational resources, so Education Leeds undertook a review of primary education to identify a course of action.

The review identified two primary schools that had experienced a significant fall in the number of pupil enrolments in recent years and had a particularly high level of surplus places. At Sandford Primary School, 45 per cent of the places were unfilled, while Wyther Park Primary School had 29 per cent surplus places.

Outdated buildings

In addition to the issue of pupil enrolments, both primary schools needed extensive modernisation. Sandford occupied a large two storey building that was built in 1941 and required work to update its roof, windows and heating. Wyther Park Primary School was built in 1929 and refurbished in 1992, but needed further work to improve its brickwork and two temporary classrooms that were in poor condition.

The blue room at Hollybush

The review recommended the closure of Sandford and Wyther Park primary schools and the development of a new school on the Sandford site to accommodate the pupils of both schools.

» The Impact

Overview «

The Impact

Socially inclusive

In its first year, Hollybush saw a 15 per cent increase in pupil numbers and an attendance rate of 97.3 per cent. The school also quickly established a central role in the local community. A branch of the West Leeds Family Learning Centre has opened on the site, offering short courses and information on training and job opportunities. The extended childcare facilities mean that more parents have been able to take up employment, while the Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre provides valuable support for families with disabled children.

The school's spacious entrance lobby

“State-of-the-art, inclusive facilities like these can help our children, young people and their families to be happy, healthy, safe and successful.”

Chris Edwards, Chief Executive of Education Leeds.

Eco-friendly design

The school incorporates a wide range of environmentally-friendly materials and design features. The layout of the building makes good use of natural light, while a three-metre overhanging roof provides shelter in wet weather and acts as an extension of the classrooms during warm weather. An automated system monitors and adjusts the temperature levels in each classroom to ensure optimum conditions for teaching.

“Every thought has gone into planning for the future of the school,” says Peter Bell, Head Teacher at Hollybush. “We will see reduced costs, especially in heating. Paper and glass recycling has also helped reduce costs.”

The school seen from above

Built in the shape of a serpentine, with an aluminium roof and landscaped gardens, Hollybush has become an eye-catching local landmark. Although graffiti and vandalism were frequent problems at the previous site, Hollybush has been largely unaffected. This reflects the high degree of respect that the pupils and the wider community have for the building.

» Good Practice

Background «

Good Practice

What can be learned from this project?

• Education Leeds undertook a six-week consultation with staff, governors, parents, pupils and members of the public to ensure that everyone involved had an opportunity to have their views heard. The results of the consultation were exhibited in Sandford Primary School.

• Some parents were concerned about the increased time it would take for them to reach the new school. In response to this, the school was designed with multiple entrance routes to make it easy to access the school from different directions. Two of the entrance routes are pedestrian-only, so those walking to school can avoid heavy traffic.

• It was important to quickly create a sense of community and identity for the new school. A vote was held for pupils and staff to choose a name for the school and a competition was held for pupils to design the school logo.

• By integrating the Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre within the school, pupils with learning, physical and medical needs are able to join mainstream pupils for activities such as assembly, story time and circle time.

Pupils in the ICT suite

• A two-stage tender was employed to ensure the contractor for the development was fully aware of the project requirements and to prevent unexpected costs arising further down the line. The school achieved a high score under the Considerate Constructors Scheme, reflecting the emphasis on health, safety and the environment, as well as the sensitive approach taken to the needs of the local community.

» Reference

The Impact «

Reference

Contact details

Richard Buffett
0113 2475497
richard.buffett@leeds.gov.uk

Strategic Design Alliance
Leeds City Council
Adams Court
Kildare Terrace
Leeds
LS12 1DB

External links

Education Leeds

Good Practice «