The spaces between the classroom ‘fingers’ will become the areas of formal outdoor classrooms. These classrooms will supplement the internal teaching space and contribute to the RSA’s new Opening Minds curriculum. There will be areas set aside for the cultivation of plants and vegetables, which could assist in the understanding of biological systems, health and nutrition; the produce can be used in menus for the canteen and food education. There will be raised beds allowing less mobile students and staff to engage with the ‘allotments’.

The Academy will be characterised by managed meadow grassland, and belts of native tree planting creating significant new habitats and linking existing ones adjoining the site. This will not only offer much to the local flora and fauna, but also provide a huge educational resource for the new school. The interface between the students and the natural systems of a developing habitat will constantly be available to enrich the learning week.