Christchurch School, Middlebeck, provides a civic building which will offer opportunities for community use and a focus for the new neighbourhood. 

The primary school site is part of the first phase of the Middlebeck urban extension by Master Developer Urban&Civic who have located the school at the heart of their scheme. Middlebeck is located on the Southern edge of Newark, approximately 2km away from the town centre.

The building is light and provides positive connections between inside and out for both pupils and community, with overhanging roof eaves shading the interiors and giving a sense of protection. 

The spaces use natural ventilation, and solar shading from the roof overhangs and brise-soleil on the south side in order to reduce energy use as far as possible. The school has underfloor heating throughout and uses rooftop Photovoltaic panels to offset its energy demand.

The wing of the teaching spaces and the main halls and shared spaces form an L-shape forming two sides of a courtyard around which future phases are planned which will eventually see the school grow to a 2.5 form entry school. 

The courtyard opens up to the play areas beyond, while the shared spaces with their greater scale and semi public role address the new Bowbridge Square to the south which is a focus of routes through this new settlement including cycleways and footpaths. 

The school provides a new home for Christchurch school for the Diocese of Nottingham&Southwell with a 52 place Nursery and accommodation for Primary years through to Year 7.

Photography by Tim Soar.