Inspired by ‘Forest Schools’, Wintringham’s first primary school
has been designed to encourage and inspire pupils to develop confidence, self-esteem and skills through positive outdoor experiences in a woodland or natural environment. The
landscape design, categorised into four forest themed areas – The Grove, Forest Edge, Forest and The Clearing – creates a holistic learning environment.
The unique central courtyard, The Grove, brings light and warmth into classrooms and beyond, blurring the boundaries between formal and informal learning and bringing outdoor learning into the classrooms, with dual aspect views contributing to an improved learning environment.
The school has won many plaudits, with the Observer’s architecture critic, Rowan Moore commenting that Wintringham Primary Academy ‘…sets a standard that other schools would do well to follow’ and credits Urban&Civic’s role as master developer for its achievement. Not many schools work to such stringent Design Codes, with the County Council, the architect and the teaching team working in partnership to deliver an inspiring learning space and an equally versatile public square in front.