A School That Grows with Its Community: Renton Primary School

The challenge for Renton Primary School and the Language & Communication Unit (LCU) was to amalgamate the existing school, LCU, and Riverside Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC) into a single, modern facility.

The primary objective was to create a space that could accommodate a diverse range of educational needs, including specialised environments for children requiring reduced stimulation while maintaining a cohesive and inclusive atmosphere.

Councilor Karen Conaghan:
“The various spaces shown in the new images are sure to support the many different ways in which children and young people learn. The new and improved environment will without a doubt enhance the educational experience of local young children for many years to come”

The design solution involved creating a three-floor, open-plan primary school that integrates LCU units seamlessly within the broader educational environment. The project features flexible open-plan teaching incorporating STEM and Library hubs, LCU-specific spaces, and nursery, along with dining and sports halls.

During Engagement Space Zero developed a series of educational principles to understand how the building would operate with “noisy & messy” at the bottom moving to “quite and orderly” at the top, Each floor had campfires and rally points for the teachers to gather their pupils.

Special attention was given to creating "bolt holes" for LCU and neurodiverse students, quiet areas where they can retreat when needed. The design also ensured clear demarcations for different age groups while enabling passive supervision, fostering a safe and engaging learning environment.

The result is a creative and functional facility that supports a wide range of learning styles and needs. The thoughtful integration of LCU-specific spaces ensures that children requiring additional support are fully included in the school community.

Renton Primary School exemplifies how thoughtful design can create meaningful benefits for its community. Shortlisted for a Civic Trust Award, the school's innovative design enhances both functionality and inspiration for students and staff. Its Silver Eco-School status reflects a commitment to sustainability, fostering an environment where learners actively engage with environmental responsibility.