Interior design for a refurbishment project for St Mary’s Catholic School, an independent academy based in Longbenton, Newcastle.

St Mary’s remains one of the most oversubscribed schools in the North East. Building on the momentum of its increasing sixth form enrolment, the school needed a new facility that would provide an exclusive area for the students to both study and socialise. Ward Robinson were commissioned to design a space which encouraged a university and workplace culture to prepare the students for the transition onto the next stage of their lives.

A series of existing classrooms and offices have been opened up to allow for a social study hub and café breakout area, as well as a silent study room and learning resource centre. Built in facilities include a student managed café, bleacher seating, integrated technology and a range of both group and individual workstations.

The materials and colours have been carefully considered across the range of settings to create a light and airy environment, as well as to incorporate the school’s colours through the furniture and accessories.

Governors, teaching staff and students have all been enthused by the outcome. The Chair of the Board of Governors described the scheme as ‘vibrant, exciting and stimulating’ which has ‘achieved everything the school was looking for, and more!’