Project Copernicus sets out a statement of strategic intent of how assets will be delivered to enhance teaching and learning, and to underpin the School’s vision. The purpose of this master planning exercise was to: • Frame the vision and provide a commonly understood pathway rooted within the ethos of the School that maintains a sense of direction, no matter how long the journey might be. • Deliver clarity and context; to sequence and prioritise redevelopment along the pathway and prevent incremental ad hoc development. • Focus and inform robust financial planning. • Demonstrate to stakeholders the PROJECT COPERNICUS
longer-term ambitions for the School. • Provide support to planning applications and provide focus for fundraising. • The result of this work is a proposal that preserves and enhances the best of Wellingborough School whilst also adopting a strategic approach to developing the facilities. Under Copernicus, that which works will be retained and refurbished – for example, much of the 1881 building stock to the north of the site (shown in white at Figure 2). Other buildings that do not lend themselves to modernisation of adaptation (many of which were erected as a ‘temporary measure’ many decades ago) are to be cleared and replace with facilities that are fit for the future.
A PHASED APPROACH
The need to sustain current operations whilst delivering Project Copernicus means it will be phased broadly as follows: Phase 1 1. Technology Centre 7. Nursery/Lower Prep (with its own catering provision) *Maroon dot on map 3. Energy Centre 2. Gate House and new parking 6. A ‘through site’ access road, linking London Road and Irthlingborough Road Phase 2 4. Sports Centre and Swimming Pool (including provision for community and local school use
Phase 4 8. Science Centre
Phase 5 9. Teaching and Research Building 5. Landscaping the Quad Phase 6 10. Theatre/Performing Arts Centre Phase 7 Refurbishment of existing building stock (including energy efficiency works) and landscaping – to run throughout as operations allow While financing will ultimately dictate the precise timelines for the deliver of each phase, this is deliberately a long-term plan that will see full delivery over a 30-year timeframe; subject to planning, we intend to start Phase 1 in 2023 – the journey starts here.
Phase 3 7. Upper Prep
*Navy dot on map 11. CCF/Duke of Edinburgh facility/ parking at the Embankment
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