Designing a specialist school where every learner can thrive.
Kennett Primary School sits at the heart of the Kennett Garden Village expansion, serving a growing new community of five hundred homes in East Cambridgeshire.
Designed for Cambridgeshire County Council and delivered with Kier Construction, the school is operated by Staploe Education Trust. It currently provides places for 210 primary pupils and 26 nursery children, with the flexibility to expand to 420 pupils and 52 nursery places as local demand grows.
Inside, the building offers eight bright, modern classrooms alongside a dedicated pre-school space. At the centre of the school is a multi-functional STEM area, supported by a welcoming library and breakout space that encourages reading, storytelling and shared learning.
Generous external spaces are a key part of the design. Each classroom has direct access to its own landscaped garden, complemented by a large playing field that significantly increases opportunities for outdoor learning and play.
The building has strong environmental credentials. Around 80 per cent of its energy demand is generated on site through roof-mounted air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels, helping to reduce operational carbon and future running costs.
The design also responds carefully to the school’s heritage. The original Kennett Primary School, built in 1865, is referenced throughout the scheme – from landscaped classroom gardens to architectural panelling in the new village square. This artwork reflects the River Kennett as it appeared in 1865, alongside the silhouette and former location of the original school. Details from the historic building live on in the school logo and in bespoke architectural elements, including arched window motifs integrated into the structure.
