Woodlane High School

School Refurbishment Brief

Woodlane contacted us to carry out a large-scale refurbishment across multiple areas of the school. This included work to the Maths and English classrooms, science block, corridors, washrooms, library, and staff area.

As the school is for children with learning barriers, our designers needed to consider how to accommodate special educational needs (SEN). The design also needed to be consistent across the school, with Woodlane’s branding serving as inspiration.

With an objective of finishing the work by the end of the school holiday, this project required expert project management to meet the strict programme.

Related content: 8 School Design Tips to Boost Children’s Mental Health

Maths and English Classrooms

Both the Maths and English classrooms required a re-design to improve functionality and the learning experience accommodating 12 students. This involved creating ICT workstations and quiet zones for low sensory working.

School furniture was key in achieving this brief. For example, we introduced height adjustable desks to improve accessibility and comfort for wheelchair users. We also introduced comfortable new chairs and independent study booths.

The teaching spaces at the front of the room needed to be clean and clear to avoid distractions for kids. As such, we installed storage walls to hold learning materials and student work, removing clutter and keeping the space tidy. The storage walls feature a sliding whiteboard door, offering a convenient writing surface.

Other new features include desks with screens for teachers, blinds, robust flooring, frosted glass panel manifestation, a reading nook for students, and redecoration throughout.

Science Lab

In accordance with the brief, we introduced a number of features to improve health and safety in the science lab. For example, we installed a hand wash station and more storage solutions to safely hold scientific paraphernalia.

We further improved safety by laying lab-grade flooring and installing Trespa worktops, both of which offer durability and an easily wipeable surface.

Other key features of the science block include a teaching wall in the school’s blue colour scheme, height adjustable desks for accessibility, student stools and gas outlets for experiments.

To complete the science area refurbishment, we made changes to the store room. With better lighting, new storage solutions (including spur shelving) and improved ventilation, the stock room is far more practical for teachers and pupils.

Corridors and Washroom

We removed and replaced the existing flooring throughout the corridor spaces in a phased approach. This was done alongside with the other works we had taking place in the school, enabling us to stay on course to meet the strict deadline.

As requested, we installed a number of graphics in the corridors. The graphics included communication symbols used by the students as prompts to help with communication.

Furthermore, we specified the flooring that matched the classroom and staff spaces, leading to a cohesive design for the entire area.

In the washrooms, our remit was to improve overall conditions and hygiene standards. This meant upgrading the existing sanitary ware and installing new wipeable tiles. The tiles sport the blue school colours and are laid in a chevron pattern for aesthetic interest.

Staff and Reception Areas 

We were approached by the school to refurbish and redesign various staff areas. These included the staff office, reception area, a meeting room and Head Teacher’s office.

In the office, we brought in new storage and a back-to-back desking system to maximise the available space. The office is accompanied by a new meeting room, which required bespoke storage and an intelligent layout design to ensure smooth traffic flow. Furthermore, we installed a sleek new tea point and laid new flooring, giving the space a lift.

For the reception area, we painted the outside wall in a dark blue, again reflecting the school’s colours. We also introduced new desks, a medical fridge, and a bench for students to use when feeling unwell or taking medication.

To complete the staff area, we refurbished the headteacher’s office. Key features include high-level storage, a teacher’s desk, and a small meeting table with chairs to host visitors.

Library

For the library refurbishment, Woodlane wanted us to improve the aesthetics, make better use of space and ensure it was suitable for SEN pupils.

To do this, we re-configured the layout and removed any redundant storage solutions. Within the new layout is a choice soft seating, a study area and bespoke bookshelves. Aesthetically, we lifted the space with cloud-shaped acoustics and wall graphics featuring quotes and birds in flight.

Combined with the carefully chosen soft materials, the design scheme creates a calm, healing space suitable for focussed reading in a library setting. Rather than overwhelming, it’s a tranquil area where they can decompress, providing a significant benefit for SEN students.

Looking for an Experienced School Refurbishment Company?

If this project has inspired you to make changes to your school, Rap Interiors can help. With a dedicated design and project team, we can help you create an inclusive, high-quality learning environment where students and staff can thrive.

Contact us today to discuss your vision and discover how our team can transform your space. Please call 01622 663232 or fill out the enquiry form below.