Information about this scheme

SILS3 (Southwark Inclusive Learning Service Key Stage 3) is a new school, a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Peckham. The new building was constructed in the playground of the existing PRU, which had originally been built as a children’s home and was run down and its spaces thoroughly ill-suited to a PRU. The existing school remained in use throughout construction, with a second phase for landscaping allowing staff and students to move in and the old building to be demolished.  The new school building has created a calm, secure and robust educational environment that improves the life chances of the children. On-site observations over a number of typical school days, consultation with management, staff and students, and research into the life of a PRU and the design factors that could benefit children and teachers took place at the beginning of the project. This resulted in a design that has a simple, legible plan, generous classrooms with wide doorways and corridors and open vistas, all of which maximise casual supervision and direct oversight from carefully placed teachers’ offices and minimise opportunities and venues for challenging behaviour. The building is cheerful and optimistic, made of near-white brick with large, white ‘picture frame’ windows. Inside it has oak floors, maple joinery and purpose-designed pine acoustic ceilings. Sustainability was a key project driver from project inception. In addition to surpassing the energy and carbon targets of the GLA, the project achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. The principal aim of this school is to support its pupils and staff and reintegrate students back to mainstream school. The result is a building environment that fully supports this aim. It has been very thoughtfully designed and executed by appointed team who worked on this project including all stakeholders in the process from concept stage. It delivers excellent facilities accommodating physical and sensory needs of its users and supports their wellbeing.

Judges’ Comments:

"The school represents excellence in educational design.”