Mayflower Community School

In September 2009, around 420 children set out on a voyage of discovery as they entered the new look learning centre in Ham Drive. Mayflower Community School was designed to give a fresh feel to learning for children, young people and families and it is now in the running for the Best Outdoor Learning Environment category in the British Council for School Environments awards.

The construction company Devon Contractors employed the architects Capita Symonds and landscape architects YGS to design a school based on a ‘Pavilions in the Park’ concept, with four main coloured blocks linked by covered walkways and an outside learning space for each classroom. In the middle of the site is a landscape of gently rolling hills and play areas. The grounds include allotments for children to grow vegetables, a quiet garden, multi-use games area and trim trails. A major feature in the centre is a large ship, which doubles as a climbing frame and slide.