John Paul II Primary School
John Paul II Primary School is situated in the most socially-deprived ward of the UK. This community have rarely experienced the physical manifestation of state intervention in changing the lives of people. However, this new addition has not only become a new beacon of hope, but has helped the community set new standards and higher its expectations. It is hoped that this project will put future capital works programs under pressure to deliver to the same high standard.
From the onset, the extension to John Paul II Primary school was heavily influenced by the input from members of the local community. Opportunities were given to parents of pupils to come forward with ideas and comment on initial layouts and proposals. The involvement of the parents and other members of the community continued into the construction phases where they were updated regularly on site progress and kept up to date with any issues. Members of community groups also received updates throughout the construction phase via parish bulletins.
The school is situated in inner city West Belfast, a local landscape scarred with multiple reminders of ‘The Troubles’ in the form of murals. This new addition to the school has had a dramatic and positive impact upon this social landscape. John Paul II Primary School is located in the most socially deprived ward in the UK based on NIMDM indicators using Free School Meals data as an indicator of social deprivation (85% FSM). This new project has injected a high degree of optimism into a community that has suffered greatly over many years - and in particular, the 1970s during extreme levels of violence leading to many deaths during this time.
The community surrounding the Primary School have rarely experienced the physical manifestation of state intervention in changing the lives of people. Hope, for many there, is an illusion. This project, however, located at the top of Whiterock Road, provides a beacon of hope for all living in the surrounding area. It has transformed the community’s experience of the term ‘school’ - which for many evoked many bad memories. Now this project means that their children will view education as an opportunity to succeed in life. Learning conditions within the school have been greatly enhanced since it opened. It has helped the community to set itself a new standard and higher its expectations. It has not only improved the current condition of the area but will make a ripple-effect in the future of the community. It will put future capital works programme under pressure to deliver to the same high standard that has now been set.
Environmental aspects were also addressed as a large part of the scheme. In particular, the ‘living roof’ that ensures that it blends and compliments the local, natural landscape of both the Divis and Black Mountain, both providing a back-drop to the school. As a finer detail, the roof also extends to the purpose-built outdoor play area that ensures children can have easy access to their play equipment. This is vital ‘annexe to the annexe’ in helping the school to improve childrens' language development. The school’s new perimeter fencing has also been fitted to provide discrete security with planted young trees and a wild-flower meadow to screen the high gradient of the bank.
In terms of public access, the new addition is an integral component of the school’s estate. Yet, paradoxically, its independence also provides for extremely easy access from a co-ordinated and synchronized car park re-alignment/upgrade program. Parents now have a dedicated drop-off point by the new part of the school and can use its own walkway to gain access to four independent, yet connected classrooms. This has not only improved the schools organisation but has increased the safety aspect for pupils.
Parents, children, staff and visitors have all been extremely surprised by the completed project. In some instances, this surprise was fuelled by an assumption that something of this beauty would be a reality for more affluent areas of Belfast - and not for those at John Paul II Primary School. It has now set a new standard and new expectations for quality educational provision. When asked by the principal if they would like to go back to their old, small, dark, damp and 1960s-designed classrooms, the answer from the pupils was an astounding, ‘no!’. Parents were invited to come in to view the new premises on the morning of its opening and 67 of the possible 80 arrived. The main issue that the principal and teachers faced on that morning was getting the parents out again!
The principal of John Paul II commented, ‘’We use the term ‘wonder and awe’ when referring to religion programmes in the school. ‘Awe’ is a difficult emotion or expression to see - that is unless you take parents into this new project. From an external perspective it is jaw-dropping and very ‘Swedish-like’ is a common first impression. From an internal perspective, the attention to detail: electrically operated skylights, under-floor heating, floor to ceiling windows and very effective acoustic sound insulation in the central play area and bright classrooms. Its extremely hard to imagine how it could be any better.’’