1. Diocese of Northampton Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Federation of Bedford Catholic Schools
“Our Vision for the Future”
January 20, 2011
Diocese of Northampton
Scott Tallon Walker Architects

2. Our vision for education in Bedford is a realisation of the Prime Minster’s call for world class schools. Our focus is on the importance of teaching and learning to deliver ever-improving standards. Our aim is that every child reaches their potential to be the very best they can be.
The Federation of Bedford Catholic Schools (FBCS) comprises of 4 schools, offering 0-19 Catholic education. Through a single Governing Body, an Executive Principal and a Director of Business Operations, we promote a culture of professional collaboration and efficient, effective decision-making. Our Headteachers concentrate on the business of leading pedagogy in an environment that nurtures innovation and creates success.
Two of our schools are outstanding; two are satisfactory. We are progressing to all our schools being outstanding through harnessing collaborative advantage, sharing best practice and re-distributing leadership.
We have a proven record of improving educational standards through changing structure. We also have a proven record of breaking the unacceptable correlation between wealth and achievement. Our value-added data is in the top 5% nationally and we are the National Champions for Community Cohesion and the achievement of minority ethnic children.
Our structural and procedural changes underpin our preparedness and determination to deliver 3 world class schools for Bedford. We have formulated our plans. We have the support of our community. We are now ready to work in partnership to transform education and make a real difference to the children we serve.
To do this, we don’t need the £25m typically-pledged for one school under BSF, but a modest £12m for 3 schools ‘to liberate every child to be the adult they aspire to be’. (Gove, 2010: 7) 2

3. St John Rigby Lower – expand to Primary
Our School Requirements
St John Rigby Lower – expand to Primary
St Thomas More Upper – expand to Secondary
St Gregory’s Middle – convert to Primary
St Joseph’s Lower - release

4. St John Rigby Currently 300 Pupils Proposed Increase to 420 Pupils
Remove temporary classrooms to provide site for new classrooms
Provision for pre-school on same site
Review parking / access status
Brief For New Buildings:
6 new primary classrooms
1 Multipurpose Hall
Teachers’ Workshop Facility
Support and Break-Out Spaces
Covered Link to Existing Building
Single Unit for Pre-School Provision
Existing School
Pre-School Facility
Possible Location
New 6 Classroom Block with
Multi-Purpose Hall 4

5. St John Rigby – Possible Ground Floor Layout
380m2 of gross area
Typical Classroom 60-65m2
Multipurpose Hall Sub-dividable
Dedicated Classroom Toilets
Typical Classroom
Multi-Purpose Hall
Classroom Support Spaces
Hall Stores
Entry Hall
Break-Out Foyer
General Toilets / Plant Space
Wheelchair Access Lift
Main Stair
Escape Stairs 5

6. St John Rigby – Possible First Floor Layout
354m2 of gross area
Typical Classroom 60-65m2
Dedicated Classroom Toilets
Typical Classroom
Classroom Support Spaces
Teachers Workshop Room
Break-Out Foyer
Void to Below
Wheelchair Access Lift
Main Stair
Escape Stairs

7. St John Rigby – Illustrative View of 6 Classroom Block + Hall7

8. St Thomas More Upper School
Increase intake by 300 pupils max.
Remove temporary classrooms
Increased provision is for yrs. 7 & 8
Brief For New Building:
classrooms maximum
Support and Break-Out Spaces
Toilets, Plant and Storage Space
Expand Existing Cafeteria to suit increased intake
Review parking and access status
New Entrance Ramp and Terrace
(already has planning permission)
Existing Activity
Centre
New 4 - 6
Classroom Block
New Expanded Cafeteria
New 10 Classroom Block
Single Story Buildings Retained 8

9. St Thomas More Upper School – Indicative 10 Classroom Block Plan
432m2 of gross area
Typical Classroom 60-65m2
Typical Classroom
Entry Hall
General Toilets / Plant Space
Wheelchair Access Lift
Breakout Corridor
Escape Stairs
GROUND FLOOR PLAN 9

10. St Thomas More Upper School – Indicative 10 Classroom Block Plan
400m2 of gross area
Typical Classroom 60-65m2
Typical Classroom
Void to Below
General Toilets / Plant Space
Wheelchair Access Lift
Breakout Corridor
Escape Stairs
FIRST FLOOR PLAN 10

11. St Thomas More – Illustrative Views of a 10 Classroom Block11

12. St Thomas More Upper School – Suggested Cafeteria Extension
New Cafeteria Rotunda (113m2)
External Covered Link
Existing Cafeteria (170m2)
Exterior Paved Seating Area
Existing Kitchen 4 4 1 2 3 5 4
PLAN 1 2 3
SECTION 12

13. St Thomas More Upper School – New Entrance, Ramp and Terrace13

14. St Gregory’s Middle School – Conversion to 3 Form Entry Primary
Currently 360 Pupils as a Middle School (Previously 420)
Proposed expansion to 630 Pupils place nursery facility
Accommodate EYFS and Years 2 and 3 via demolishing existing single story wing and replacing with new 2 story purpose built block
Provide new purpose built nursery block with own entrance and secure play area
Refurbish existing building to accommodate years 4, 5 and 6
EYFS – Ground Floor
Years Above
Years 4, 5, 6 in Existing
New 60 Place Nursery Building 14

15. Three Form Entry Strategy - Ground Floor
Outline Brief:
Chapel
2 x Hall
2 x Dining Rooms
2 x ICT Suites
2 x Libraries
Nurture Room
Intervention Rooms
15 Classrooms w/ Art/Wet Facilities
8 EYFS Rooms
60 Place Nursery
Parking and Access Augmented
Denotes New 60 Place Nursery Facility
(temporary building removed)
Denotes New EYFS with hall, dining,
toilets, support spaces & external areas
Denotes Areas Modified to Achieve Brief
For Years 4, 5 and 6 15

16. Three Form Entry Strategy - First Floor
Denotes First Floor for Years Classrooms, library, toilets & support spaces
Denotes Areas Modified to Achieve Brief for Years 4, 5 and 6 16