Our new landscape design for St Mary’s Senior School enhances the setting of heritage buildings and provides safer access for pedestrians and cars.

The main school building was originally a large private house, but has operated as an independent day school for girls for over 90 years. Another prominent school building, The Turrets, is a Grade II listed Gothic folly. The important landscape setting of these buildings had been degraded over time as the school frontage became dominated by car parking. The site has additional sensitivities because it lies within a conservation area, and has many high quality mature trees within its grounds, some of which are subject to preservation orders.

We were approached by the school to produce a design for their Senior School entrance. The main aims were to improve access arrangements for vehicles and pedestrians, as well as to enhance the overall appearance of the school frontage.

Due to the sensitive nature of the site, planning permission was obtained following extensive consultation with stakeholders. The sheer number of trees on this site meant that retention and protection was an important consideration from the outset, leading to reduced-dig construction methods being used throughout the design.

The new frontage includes: formalised car parking, designated pedestrian pathways, a new lighting scheme, heritage-style railings, and refreshed signage. This is all complemented by a new planting scheme, providing St Mary’s Senior School with a more welcoming frontage.

We have implemented a range of successful education projects. Click here to view more.