Silsden Primary School
A full primary school fit-out in to create cohesive and flexible spaces where children thrive.
Silsden Primary School was an over-subscribed primary in a protected building which made it impossible to expand. After years of turning families away, the local council commissioned a brand new school building which would merge two local schools.
The brief
When senior leaders at Silsden Primary School came to Richardsons, they needed a full fit-out of the new building which would be practical and engaging for pupils and work flexibly around each teacher’s unique style.
Where possible, they wanted to use legacy furniture and items from the merging schools to reduce cost and make a positive environmental impact, while still presenting a cohesive, stylish and high-quality new learning environment.
Our approach
The Richardsons team worked closely with the school’s Headteacher and Business Manager, to understand the requirements for each area and adjust designs according to teachers’ and governors’ feedback. We also liaised with contractors to set and adjust timeframes for a smooth implementation.
In order to reduce waste and spending, we also carefully matched materials and colours from legacy items when sourcing new furniture, making it essentially impossible to distinguish between the two.
The result
The new Silsden Primary School building is attractive and modern, providing functional and flexible spaces for all learning activities and styles.
Cohesive classrooms
Each classroom has a distinct colour scheme to help pupils connect with their space.
Flexible layouts
Bespoke, multi-functional cabinets and customisable configurations allow teachers to adjust their space according to their needs.
Large library space
The school’s library and quiet reading area runs throughout the ground floor, helping to instill a love of reading for pleasure.
Group work zones
There are multiple flexible small-group work areas facilitating quiet focus throughout the school.
The impact
Pupils, families, Ofsted and other local schools have all praised the new environment, which is classed as the ‘gold standard’ primary learning facility in the area.
Since completing the initial work, Richardsons and Silsden Primary School have continued to work in partnership to further develop the environment, including design and fit-out for conference rooms and school offices.