Catherine Infant School was our first project on the DfE CF21 Framework, and is one of the first Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCiO) schools in the country.
The project won a Leicester Civic Award for outstanding environmental and sustainable design, as well as being a ProCon Awards Finalist, and the trip allowed us to see our project in day-to-day action.
Ben and Richard’s day was split into two parts, with the first part being an assembly to the entire Year 2 cohort as they discussed the role of the architect, what they do, how they design, the types of buildings they design and the outputs – drawings, models, visuals – they produce.
The second part consisted of four classes taking part in a collage exercise of famous buildings in Leicester. This was combined with a quiz element where the pupils had to name the building before they could colour it in – Ben and Richard also gave the classes interesting facts about each building throughout the quiz.
Visiting Catherine Infant School provided a welcomed opportunity for our team members to help inspire young people and spark their interest in architecture. It was also rewarding to see our project fully realised and functioning for pupils and staff at the school.
Project Information
Catherine Infant School is a 420 place school where 38 languages are spoken and there is a large requirement for special educational needs provision.
The new £14.2m school has been developed with neurodiverse inclusive design at its core, ensuring the spaces are suitable for children requiring assistance with speech and communication as well as SEN pupils with complex hidden disabilities and neurodivergent conditions.
Extensive landscaping formed part of the scheme, in line with the school’s desire for a natural setting for learning, helping to create a ‘woodland haven within the city’ with a sensory rich environment, along with the calming elements of the natural outdoors.
Catherine Infant School was completed in May 2025.