Eden Park High School

Eden Park High School in Beckenham, South London is a new facility that has been designed by CPMG Architects. It was developed on behalf of the Education Skills Funding Agency and it will cater for 1,600 pupils, which will comprise 1,200 secondary and 480 sixth form pupils. The high school will provide state of the art learning facilities and a large choice of sports pitches and outdoor areas.

The new high school project involved the construction of a three storey secondary school with a separate sports hall. Additional outdoor works include a full size floodlit pitch and external grass pitches, a MUGA pitch, staff car parking, cycle storage and an open courtyard. As part of the construction of the main building work, Billington Structures supplied approximately 600 tonnes of structural steelwork.

During the construction phase, pupils from the high school painted a section of the hoarding panels which was then entered into the Considerate Constructors’ Ivor Goodsite Hoarding Competition. Thousands of entries were received from across the UK and the theme at Eden Park High School was rebirth, with a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis.

Where possible as part of this construction project, off site modular options were used, to minimise disruption and deliver value for money. Innovations as part of Eden Park High School meant that it earned a Very Good BREEAM rating. Environmental and sustainability features include an attenuation tank, water permeable paving to aid with water run off, solar panels and computer controlled building management system for energy efficiency.

The goal of the school design, from CPMG Architects, was to create a campus-like feel for the high school. This includes extensive use of green space and existing trees in the area, as well as minimising areas given over to vehicles and public access. The school also has links to sports fields of the neighbouring Beckenham Rugby Club, which will create a curriculum rich outdoor space that promotes the wellbeing of the students.