Austin-Smith:Lord were appointed as part of Kier’s winning team to design the School to RIBA Stage 4 after a mini competition based on Stage 1 information issued by Cardiff Council. The Design Team have worked closely with Cardiff City Council and their advisors, as well as the School, throughout the project.

The brief called for the provision of a replacement new 11-18 high school at 10FE including 350 post 16 places to address “D” condition categorisation and “D” categorised sufficiency issues in the local area. This project represents a significant new facility for the pupils, staff and local community.

The new Fitzalan High School is built in the same area facing the catchment area that it serves. The site selected is close to the existing Fitzalan High School site, located on the other side of Lawrenny Avenue, Cardiff.

A key brief objective was that the design of the new school should provide flexible and adaptable spaces to teach and learn the New Progressive Curriculum. Our designs are supportive in delivering these principles and supporting the changing role of the teacher as a facilitator of learning.

We feel that ASL totally understood our vision and passion for our school and what we wanted the new school to enable us to be. They have captured our demands for an inspirational environment that also allows us to deliver the curriculum in the bespoke responsive way that ensures our pupils will be successful. We cannot be constrained by typical classrooms and traditional methods and the A-S:L team have grasped that as a concept and designed an amazing facility that will allow for the flexibility and innovation that we are so keen to continue.
Jo Kemp, Assistant Headteacher, Fitzalan School