Glossopdale Community College Extension

The extension comprises of a two-storey teaching wing located to the south-west of the existing school building, providing an additional 200 11-16 places and 40 sixth form places. The building expansion, along with additional social space and a new 3 court multi use games area form part of the schools vision of a ‘Journey to Excellence’ based on the four strands of Learning, Experience, Support and Leadership. 

The extension, required to meet the expanding needs of the community, follows the work previously undertaken by DLA & Henry brothers on the main school completed in 2018. Which included the design and construction of a three storey new school facility for 1200 pupils. An additional 240 pupils, equating to 9 classrooms and ancillary staff accommodation were required, delivered within a live environment and shared access with the school. 

The new 2 storey building expansion was carefully designed to minimise the impact on the nearby residential properties, nestling gently into the gradients of the school grounds. Raking parapets akin to the main school building were adopted to reflect the surrounding hills and vales, creating a sense of place amongst a stunning backdrop. The existing schools buff brick and rainscreen cladding has been applied to the new extension, providing contextual harmony across the school campus. The cladding was composed differently to ensure the new building has its own identity whilst still being reflective of the main school. With the extension designed to BREEAM good rating, features to achieve this include efficient envelope, passive ventilation, low water sanitary fittings and thermal mass exposed soffits.