St Paul's School - Background 

Our need to rebuild is based on the realisation that our existing facilities need improving over the next 25 years. We want to do this in a planned, organised and economic way. It is not motivated by any desire to grow or to fundamentally change the nature of the School.

The majority of our buildings date from the 1960s, not so old by comparison with many schools, but based on a 'system building' approach (CLASP) with a finite lifespan. They are approaching the end of that lifespan.

Other buildings have been added over the years in parts of the campus where space was available. Nevertheless, the CLASP buildings today represent 77% of our stock. We, like many of the other institutions that chose the CLASP system, have studied the potential for their refurbishment but have found it to be uneconomic. Accordingly, we are setting out to replace most of them with buildings that meet modern standards of space provision and environmental performance.

Planning restrictions, combined with a lack of available land, mean that we are faced with progressively replacing obsolete CLASP buildings with new buildings located in the same general area as the existing buildings.

The Masterplan we have drawn up proposes a framework for development over 25 years. This plan will ensure that the new buildings are sensibly organised, respond better to their surroundings, meet modern space standards and environmental performance targets, and are complemented by external spaces that are landscaped to capitalise on the site's natural advantages, whilst enhancing its ecological value. It will allow us to continue to offer the excellent standard of education for which we are widely acknowledged and will generally help to secure the School's future in this great setting.

Integral to our approach to education is an active and, we hope, valued involvement with the local community. Our students and staff participate in many social and educational community programmes. We also make our facilities available to other schools, clubs and local people. This plan is a vital component of our future in Barnes and of our ability to remain at the forefront of education.

Coin 1509 - John Colet	St Paul's School - 1824	St Paul's School - 1968