Designing a specialist school where every learner can thrive.
The school is a major new education facility serving the Hampton Gardens development in Peterborough. Delivered as a joint project for Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council, and operated by Hampton Academies Trust, the school provides places for up to 1,500 pupils, alongside dedicated provision for 300 sixth form students.
The design responds directly to the site context and the Trust’s educational approach. The school is organised as two distinct curriculum wings: one centred around a dedicated STEM hub, and the other accommodating humanities teaching. Together, these wings embrace a sheltered, south-facing recreation space, creating a clear sense of focus and cohesion across the campus.
A strong civic presence is created through the main entrance, crowned by the Learning Resource Centre, which playfully suggests a book or tablet opening, expressed through bold forms and approached via a wide pedestrian boulevard. Along the way, seating and meeting areas overlook the 3G all weather sports pitch, encouraging informal interaction and connection with outdoor activity.
External spaces are integral to the design and include an outdoor dining terrace, multi-use games areas and a tiered amphitheatre that provides both shelter and a flexible performance and gathering space. These features support a broad range of curricular and extracurricular activities, encouraging interaction and outdoor learning.
Hampton Gardens Secondary School was the first project delivered as part of a wider framework to provide five new schools across Peterborough. It forms part of a long-standing relationship with the city, with more than twelve education projects completed or under way over the past decade, contributing to the growth and resilience of the local education estate.
