The City of London Academy Shoreditch Park is the first building to be completed in this exciting new scheme. With an aim to provide a life-changing environment that encourages and supports all of its students to achieve excellent educational outcomes whatever their individual ability, needs or background, the building designed by FCBStudios has already had a significant impact.

The constrained nature of the site required an innovative design approach. The building footprint has been kept as small as possible to maximise the playground areas, taking advantage of the existing topography to create an enticing amphitheatre playground. The sports hall, which has been raised up to first-floor level, shelters the playground space. A rooftop playground with city views allows for even more outdoor space on this limited site.

The interior is arranged around two atria with a primary corridor on each floor. Natural daylight and internal views through these timber-lined atria spaces produce a bright and comfortable school with a connection to its environment.

On the ground floor are the main hall, activity studio, LRC, dining hall and music department. The school acts as a centre for the community and so these spaces have been deliberately arranged to become easily accessible to the public. Clearly defined entrances on the street give it a civic presence and reiterate this purpose.