Design enhancements to a school courtyard have been implemented at Monkton School to create spaces for outdoor learning. The work comprised the replacement of old poor quality paving areas with high quality gravel finishes and improved access routes. The project has enhanced the setting of the school’s historic buildings and provides a flexible outdoor space for use by the students. The proposals are part of a wider project to renew the external realm and landscapes of the school.

Nicholas Pearson Associates was appointed to prepare landscape designs for key areas of the school. The designs enhance the sense of arrival, improve access and circulation and proposed a comprehensive upgrade to the external realm. Each initiative is required to enhance the outdoor learning potential of the site. The school is in a sensitive location, within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Conservation Area and includes several Listed buildings that required a carefully considered approach to the designs and material selection.

The first phase of work focused on a central courtyard. This is part of a main route through the school and includes various changes in level. A retained mature beech tree is an important feature of the space which is defined by the surrounding listed buildings in Bath Stone.

The materials selected included use of attractive natural gravel finishes, including resin bonded gravel, to unify the space and accommodate the changes in level. The beech tree’s root protection area was a vital consideration. The design and construction process has ensured its future good health through the provision of improved surface water infiltration to the root zone and measures to reduce the risk of soil compaction around the tree.

“The finished scheme has delivered a completely transformed space, with great responses from staff, students and visitors, but more importantly, a space which is now being used for positive educational purposes”

Mr J Kempton – Bursar

To discuss how our team can help enhance your education setting for outdoor learning do contact us or phone and speak with one of our team.