The school has been identified by the Department for Education (DfE) as one of the country’s worst condition school sites in urgent need of replacement.  As such, government funding has been allocated for a redevelopment of the site to provide new, modern and sustainable teaching buildings, outdoor play spaces and car parking facilities.

The proposed development seeks to consolidate the three school sites into one main campus, improving the efficiency of the school operations and continuity of education. The Shooting Field Site has been chosen as the most suitable Site for this, due to its capacity to host the correct facilities for students, as well as its location well connected to the local highway network and the presence of the existing school playing fields. The proposed new campus approach will have capacity equal to that of the existing three sites combined.

Buildings and site layout etc description and overview

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The proposed design creates a welcoming, easy-to-navigate campus that supports exceptional teaching and learning. It offers spaces for reflection, personal growth, and spiritual development, with a layout that helps students move smoothly through areas designed for their stage of education. The school’s Christian ethos is reflected in the presence of the chapel and in the warm, inclusive atmosphere shared by staff, students, and the wider community.

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Respect for the Landscape

Located within the South Downs National Park, the design responds sensitively to its surroundings. Building scale, materials, and layout harmonize with the natural environment, balancing educational ambition with environmental care and preserving the character of the area.

Entrances and Community Access

• Main Student Entrance: A large canopy creates a clear focal point and sheltered space for arrivals and gatherings.

• Visitor Entrance: A distinctive brick portal provides a welcoming civic presence for parents, governors, and guests.

• Sixth Form Entrance: A separate southern entrance offers an arrival experience for post-16 students. Access routes allow controlled community use of the hall and sports facilities while maintaining security.

Campus Layout

The school is arranged into clear zones for each Key Stage, giving every area its own identity while maintaining a consistent architectural style. Breaking the campus into smaller linked buildings improves wayfinding and reduces the visual impact in this semi-rural setting. Taller buildings are positioned deeper within the site to protect views across the Downs.

Student Experience

The site is designed around pupils’ needs, with spacious routes, informal courtyards, and outdoor areas to ease movement and provide places to relax. Staff can maintain effective oversight while students enjoy freedom to choose different learning and social spaces.

Distinctive Spaces

Each Key Stage has its own focal area. For example, Key Stage 4 features an amphitheatre linked to the Chapel, dining areas, STEM spaces, and direct access to playing fields. Buildings vary in height and façade treatment to create visual interest while maintaining harmony across the campus.

Access, Parking & Highways 

It is proposed that the parking network on site will be accessed via Horsham Road to the south of the development with internal access road connecting to Shooting Field for occasisional vehicle use. The Shooting Field entrance will be predominantly used for pedestrian and cycle access to the school site. This will provide community use during evening and weekend use.

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The existing wide vehicle crossover from Horsham Road, which currently serves as the school coach pick-up and drop-off facility will be amended to serve as a new Leisure Centre car park. This will contain approximately 52 parking spaces, retaining the existing disabled bays opposite the entrance. The existing leisure centre access will be retained from Horsham Road to also serve this car park.  

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The provision of a dedicated access to a new coach pick-up and drop-off facility will provide clearer separation between this area and the Leisure Centre car park; thereby facilitating its management by the school during drop-off and collection periods without impacting the Leisure Centre. This facility will be located to the north west of the school buildings and will provide 10 coach spaces, as per the current arrangement. This dedicated coach and visitor parking entrance will be located in the position of the existing field gate.

The proposal includes 173 car parking spaces for the school, including 9 accessible bays.  These parking spaces will be for staff and sixth form students during school hours.

A further 6 secure minibus spaces are proposed to the south of the new Leisure Centre car park.

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The proposed student cycle store will incorporate 120 spaces, and the staff cycle store will provide 10 spaces, representing a significant increase relative to the existing level of provision on the site. Both cycle stores will be located to the east of the site and will be accessible from Shooting Field.