Thomas Deacon Academy

Conceived as part of the Local Education Authoritys city-wide reorganisation of secondary schools, the Academy merges the activities of two existing schools and one Community College to provide facilities for 2200 students aged between 11-19. Sponsored by the Deacons Trust and Caterpillar (UK), the educational concept behind the Academy involves a specialism in Mathematics and Science and departs from a conventional model of secondary schooling in favour of a university type environment with lectures, seminars and tutorials.

To break down the scale of the building, the Academy is divided into six smaller units, one for each of the colleges that form the basis of the schools educational structure. Each college consists of a V-shaped ribbon of classrooms, which creates a three-storey central, sheltered space that is the heart of each college and key to the educational and design concept. Each college also has a Network Study Area for social interaction and collective study, allowing teaching staff to mix with the students, and older students to mentor their younger colleagues, fostering a sense of community within the academy.

Surrounded by mature trees and landscaping, the Academy has dual entrances that allow students, staff and visitors to enter at the western end of the building, accessible from the southern site entrances, with an additional student entrance to the north. These two entrances are linked by a central concourse, which directs circulation toward the central Resource Centre and social amenities, and creates a natural focus for social interaction. The undulating glass and steel structure roof over the central concourse unifies the architectural design, while providing natural daylight, acoustical control, and ventilation to the main space. It is hope that the unique geometry and engineering of the roof will inspire students to reflect on the Academy's specialised subjects of mathematics and science.

Client: and Garfield Weston F, Sponsor - Perkins Engines Co Ltd., Sponsor - The Deacon’s School Trust , Supported by - DCSF, Peterborough City Council , The Thomas Deacon Academy
Consultants: Buro Happold, Davis Langdon, Buro Happold , Townshend Landscape Consultants, AIS, Cybercom, EC Harris, Faber Maunsell, FEDRA, Food Services Consultants, Gardiner & Theobald LLP, Harris Grant Assocites