this scheme responded to a brief to provide a replacement secondary school on the site of the existing school. the new building needed to be completed under a number of phases to allow the existing areas to remain operational during the construction phases. the project had to allow for expansion from 900 to 1200 pupils with the possible addition of a 400m running track and sports facilities for the local community. conrad's design took on board the schools special educational needs focus and their desire to focus on a design for one building, rather than on a campus style solution. the public areas were positioned at the front of the building with good visual links from the reception area whilst the teaching areas were wrapped around an external courtyard, allowing for all of the general teaching areas to have a southerly outlook whilst the ict and science facilities were located on the north side, therefore minimising solar heat gain.