Bexhill High School
Subscribe now to instantly view this image
Subscribe to the Architects’ Journal (AJ) for instant access to the AJ Buildings Library, an online database of nearly 2,000 exemplar buildings in photographs, plans, elevations and details.
Already a subscriber? Sign in
Front facade
Devereux Architects Download Original
Secondary school for 1650 pupils featuring learning zones and a central covered 'heart' space
The design is based on Swedish and Danish education models, and is the first BSF scheme in the country with a transformational approach to teaching and learning.
Traditional ‘stand and speak’ classrooms are replaced with project-based learning that takes place in 15 pods, each accommodating up to 90 pupils and six members of staff.
These large learning pods are arranged over two floors and around a central ‘heart’ space within the building envelope. The internal courtyard is spanned by an ETFE roof measuring over 1400m2.
The school building meets the government’s 60 per cent carbon reduction target through a variety of environmental strategies, including natural ventilation and lighting throughout, as well as integrated photovoltaic cells and thermal mass. It has also achieved a BREEAM rating of Very Good.
Data
- Begun: Nov 2008
- Completed: Nov 2010
- Floor area: 13,600m2
- Sector: Education
- Total cost: £33M
- Procurement: BSF One School Pathfinder (through the IESE framework)
- Address: Gunters Lane, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex , TN39 4BY, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Devereux Architects
- Client: East Sussex County Council
- Structural engineer: WYG
- M&E engineer: WYG
- Main contractor: Kier
- Landscape architect: Standerwick Landscape Design
- Acoustic engineer: Hawksmoor
- FF&E consultant: ISIS concepts
- Education consultant: Prospects
AJBL Sponsor
Thrislington Cubicles
Builders of the worlds best toilet cubicles, vanity units, lockers and panels at our factory in the United Kingdom since the 1960s