West Didsbury CE Primary School

Fun, bright and flexible, that’s the approach we took when we were asked to design and furnish the interior of the new West Didsbury CE Primary School.

The purpose built primary school opened it’s doors in September 2015 to provide 60 much needed reception age places for the surrounding community. Their aim is to add a further two reception classes each academic year until they become a thriving 420 pupil primary school by September 2022.

Working closely with the school and the main contractor, Conlon Construction, our brief was to provide an interior that would eventually accommodate all the pupils and supporting activities, yet create a warm, family feel. A happy and secure environment is important in any education establishment, so special care was taken with the layout and selection of suitable furniture to ensure the comfort of pupils and staff.

After a lengthy consultation period we established that the school had a very definite idea of what they wanted from the project; bright, flexible and spacious learning areas that would encourage interaction. With our extensive knowledge and guidance we were able to deliver all of this and more; from standard teaching spaces and a library to bespoke reading areas and an IT suite.

The classrooms throughout the building were space planned and furnished to ensure all rooms have the same footprint, whilst remaining flexible. Some of the classrooms also have custom-built reading areas within them; soft seating and striking wall graphics add the finishing touch.

Providing furniture in a variety of configurations to the main hall; folding bench style dining tables to seat over 200, exam tables, stackable chairs and a stage for school productions, resulted in a highly multi-functional space. A designated storage area ensures that all the furniture can be easily and quickly stored away.

To further maximise the space, flexible teaching zones were introduced, offering additional open learning areas outside the normal classroom environment. Pupil lockers incorporating the school colours provide a eye catching practical storage solution to the space.

Desks and chairs to the support offices, along with a relaxed seating plan in the staff breakout room, deliver a space where they can go to unwind and recharge ready for the next lesson.

Our attention to detail and our access to a wide range of education furniture suppliers went a long way to ensuring we delivered this project on time and to budget. This coupled with our extensive sample service, gave the school full confidence in the quality of the items proposed.

We are extremely proud to have been able to help this exceptional school provide a happy and secure environment within which the children can grow and develop.