Building Programme
The design for The Belvedere Academy is guided by four principles:
- making maximum use of the existing buildings, while retaining what is of historical significance;
- providing the facilities and resources to supportour two specialisms of modern foreign languages and science and a broad and distinctive curriculum;
- sharing facilities and resources with other students, schools and the local community;
- ensuring value for money.
To this end, a new three-storey teaching block will be built on the southern end of the existing site. Its contemporary design will complement the Belvedere’s original Victorian villas. It will include a main entrance, reception and exhibition space that will be a showcase for the Academy. This block will also house most of the specialist science laboratories, as well as new ICT facilities, dance and drama studios and a fitness suite. Facilities are designed to be accessed by the wider community.
Existing buildings will also be upgraded and made more accessible. Language learning spaces and the dining room will be extended, ICT provision and Sixth Form facilities enhanced.
The building programme will be phased to minimise disruption to teaching and learning. The new block will be built first to provide greater opportunities for teaching the specialisms before existing buildings are refurbished and no temporary accommodation will be needed.