inspiring creativity, community and connection ‘Our aim is to create a Junior School environment to inspire creativity, community and connection, to clearly recognise and cater for the developmental stages of girls in the Junior School. This is a place where girls will feel comfortable and strive to achieve their personal best.’ Key statement from the Junior School Building Architects’ Brief. In developing the Junior School, we consulted To support the physical and emotional To emphasise personalisation over widely with our girls, the staff, other schools, wellbeing of students, staff and also institutionalisation ; architects, academic research, our own our community: integration of subjects and students over knowledge of current learning at Ruyton and the learning studios enable the development of segregation; spaces that enable the girls to our plans for the future of learning. We were increased independence and self-management talk, share, co-construct; make decisions guided by two questions: what learning do we skills, important goals for our students about their learning and to follow their value and what environment will enable this the classroom studios connect seamlessly with interests and passions. kind of learning? There were six main design shared spaces outside the studio environment To integrate with the natural environment: principles underpinning our building. extensive use of glass connecting the internal/ To promote a sense of community teachers are accessible to students, with external environment, ensuring that learning is and belonging: offices integrated into the learning studios visible. Learning is connected with the outside for each class to have a clearly defined learning studios are also warm, comfortable spaces, with windows and window seating home base and also a space where each year and inviting. that capitalises on the significant trees in the level could gather and learn together To create a contemporary learning grounds and the learning areas that are to have a central space to create a ‘heart’ for environment to en able and promote: flooded with natural light. the Junior School community active investigation, inquiry, social interaction To embed the potential to reconfigure both in to establish spaces designed around the needs and collaboration the present and into the future: of young girls, aiming to create an atmosphere flexible groupings and active learning spaces, to move and alter furniture/spaces to suit their of a village, with both class and communal indoor and outdoor needs at the time areas that flow and connect. facilitate learning through the seamless to have places where ongoing projects can be integration of digital technology and ease of left undisturbed and 3D displays can be shared, access to learning resources allowing ease of access to materials and participation in and responsibility for the resources. learning community Mrs Nicole Ginnan e, Deputy Principal, agile, adaptable and flexible spaces. Head of Junior School autumn 2017 7