Rushcliffe Spencer Academy

The project has transformed the existing Rushcliffe campus into a future-ready place of learning, delivering 450 additional secondary school places alongside a carefully considered programme of refurbishment and renewal. At its heart is a striking new four-storey teaching block (Block C), designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing site while opening up space, light and new opportunities across the wider campus.

However, this was never simply about adding new buildings. The removal of the outdated leisure centre, the sensitive refurbishment of the Nottingham Gymnastics Academy, and essential upgrades to Blocks A and B formed part of a much broader vision; to create a cohesive, high-quality environment that functions as a unified whole. At its centre sits a newly formed ‘heart space’, a welcoming focal point that brings together learning, social interaction and community life.

Every aspect of the design responds to the constraints and character of the site. Positioned following extensive option studies, the new teaching block makes intelligent use of significant level changes, stepping naturally across the landscape while minimising its impact on neighbouring homes.

The challenges beneath the ground were just as demanding. Complex ground conditions required careful management, but instead of exporting material, the team turned the issue into an opportunity. Over 3,000m³ of subsoil was reused across the site, while materials such as existing tennis court stone found new purpose in temporary works; cutting waste, reducing transport and lowering carbon.

Around the buildings, the landscape has been quietly transformed. While some tree loss was unavoidable, the response was restorative and forward-looking. The planting of 420 native saplings, alongside semi-mature trees, has created a greener, more biodiverse setting that will mature with the school for years to come.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the project is one that, to most students, went almost unnoticed. Throughout the works, the school remained fully operational.

Delivering a complex construction programme within a live educational setting demanded sensitivity, precision and trust. The project team worked hand-in-hand with school leaders, carefully phasing works to align with the rhythms of the academic year. Noisy or disruptive activities were purposely scheduled into holiday windows wherever possible, while weekly meetings ensured everyone remained informed, aligned and able to respond quickly to challenges.

Managing the day-to-day life of a busy school alongside construction activity required constant coordination. Safe access routes were maintained, bus movements carefully planned, and third-party facilities such as the Nottingham Gymnastics Academy kept fully operational. Behind the scenes, logistics were a daily balancing act, but on the ground, the experience remained calm, safe and uninterrupted.

Sustainability is woven into the fabric of the school, both literally and operationally. A fabric-first approach ensures the building performs efficiently from the outset, with enhanced insulation and airtightness reducing energy demand before systems are even considered.

From there, low-carbon technologies take over. Air source heat pumps provide heating and hot water, while Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery ensures a comfortable internal environment with minimal energy loss. Photovoltaic panels generate renewable energy on site, and a smart Building Management System allows the school to monitor and manage performance in real time.

Beyond the building, the project embraces nature-based solutions. Rain gardens soften the landscape while naturally managing surface water, improving drainage resilience and supporting biodiversity.

Importantly, sustainability extended into construction itself. Through smart material use and efficient earthworks, the project achieved a saving of 194 tonnes of embodied carbon as part of the 10T Challenge. Waste was equally well managed, with 99.6% diverted from landfill, reflecting a clear commitment to doing things properly, not just efficiently.