St John School, Epping

Development of a new two-storey, sixth-form entry secondary school for Essex County Council in Epping, comprising 7,880 m2 of building plus associated facilities (including a new access road, playing fields, hard surface courts and car parking) on the current school’s existing playing fields.

This was a joint venture with Essex County Council to deliver a new secondary school and 149 mixed tenure residential homes known as Arboretum. Essex County Council had obtained an outline planning permission for the construction of the new secondary school on existing school playing field land, and the demolition of the existing school buildings and redevelopment for 149 houses and flats.

We funded the construction of the new secondary school at nil capital cost to Essex County Council. This land acquisition structure ensured that Essex County Council received maximum value for its site and did not need to utilise its own capital resources for the delivery of the new school.

The school was designed by Hunters Architects with Potter Raper Partnerships acting as Employer’s Agent. The location, layout and design of the new school was carefully considered to take advantage of its aspect and ground levels. In addition, existing natural features (trees and ponds) were protected, enhanced and integrated into the design.