Great HaddonPrimary School
The Great Haddon Primary School will be one of the first public buildings in the area, playing a crucial role in shaping the character, quality, and identity of Great Haddon from the very beginning.
A new community is taking shape in the southern part of Peterborough, set to provide thousands of new homes, vibrant local centres, green spaces, and essential infrastructure. As part of the emerging Great Haddon development, the need for a new two-form entry primary school was clear.
Designed by Lungfish Architects as part of the SCAPE Construction framework and constructed by Morgan Sindall Construction, this new primary school will be the largest learning environment that Peterborough City Council has ever delivered.
Scheduled for completion in late 2026 and ready for students in early 2027, the 420-place school aims to address the growing demand for nursery and primary educational facilities in the local community.
Sector
Education
Services
Architecture
Status
Onsite
Client
Peterborough City Council
Location
Great Haddon
Contractor
Morgan Sindall Construction
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Outcomes
The main school will consist of 12 classrooms spread across two floors, interconnected by two staircases and a platform lift. Three-meter-wide “learning streets” on both levels will provide enhanced educational opportunities, offering access to libraries, one-on-one teaching zones, and small group learning areas. At the southern end of the building, you’ll find the school hall, kitchen, and related facilities.
Moreover, a single-storey Early Years section will include two nursery classrooms and two reception classrooms, complete with associated amenities and an outdoor play area. The entrance to the teaching block will clearly differentiate between the Early Years section and the main school.
On the outside, a 9 x 9 football pitch, which will serve as an athletics track during the summer months, will be created alongside a multi-use games area (MUGA).
The building has been thoughtfully arranged to support children throughout their learning journey, fostering a clear and intuitive progression from Early Years to Key Stage 2. Classrooms, breakout zones, and specialised learning areas have been designed to maximise natural daylight, fresh air, and views of landscaped outdoor spaces, features shown to boost concentration, wellbeing, and overall educational success
Design Features
The scheme has been carefully designed to align with the high aspirations outlined in the broader masterplan. This ensures that the project not only meets the educational needs of future students but also contributes to the long-term success and sense of community in Great Haddon.
The landscape strategy of the school is a crucial component of the design. Vibrant and diverse outdoor spaces weave between the buildings, effectively blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor environments.
These areas are designed to encourage play, exploration, and outdoor learning throughout the year. They are thoughtfully crafted to bring nature into the educational experience, supporting both formal and informal activities, while also providing spaces for calm, reflection, and creativity.
Sustainability and long-term efficiency are foundational elements of the scheme. The design follows sustainable construction principles, emphasising energy-efficient building materials, natural ventilation, and low-carbon options.
Additionally, the school will be accessible to the community outside of school hours, making it a welcoming social hub for local residents and supporting the development's goal to cultivate a strong, connected neighbourhood from the outset.
Working with Peterborough City Council through the SCAPE framework, our focus has been to create a learning environment that is both inspirational and resilient. By harnessing natural light and ventilation, integrating rich landscape experiences, and designing every space around the needs of pupils, this new school will set a new benchmark for educational design across the region.”
Craig Taylor, Director of Lungfish Architects
