EDEN SCHOOL, WALTHAM FOREST

Eden School, Waltham Forest

We have been working with one of Star Academies’ schools in London, Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest, which is based in Walthamstow.

The school, which opened in September 2014 and is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, is a Muslim faith-based girls’ secondary school which has 600 pupils.

Originally operating as a factory in the 1950s, the building evolved to become council offices and later underwent extensive refurbishment to transform it into a school. The site sits close to a reservoir and is in the middle of an industrial estate.

Shahina Ahmad, Principal of Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest, commissioned Land Studio to work on a landscape masterplan for the school which could be implemented in zones as and when funds become available.

She said: “Our school is based in an old building next to an industrial site and we want it to look more like a school and to create a more welcoming entrance.

“We are a dynamic school with high standards and aspirations for our pupils and it is important that our school building reflects this. Our mission is to offer our girls the best opportunities in education and to nurture future female leaders through our extensive character development programme.

“Wellbeing is more important to us than ever before, whether that’s mental health, spiritual health or physical wellbeing. We want our landscape to reflect the quality and aspirations of our school.”

Following a number of consultations and site visits, we designed a landscape masterplan which incorporates the principles of Islamic garden design to create a green oasis, which is also a safe, creative and inspiring environment for learning.

We have considered how we can improve the environmental quality for the children to lessen the negative impacts of the microclimate. We have looked at providing green walkways, space and shelter with climbing plants and utilising sustainable surface drainage to tackle the summer smells of the nearby reservoir and recycling plant.

We have suggested planting new hedges to create soft edges between pedestrian and vehicular routes, while new trees can screen and soften the northern boundary. A planned new water feature will become a focal point with planting and a courtyard garden will provide informal play spaces.

Our first phase of work concentrated on transforming the entrance plaza to create a welcoming school entrance and a new design language for the school. The new walkways promote way-finding and improve the pupils’ sensory experience by bringing nature to them. Rows of parking have been broken up with new planting beds.

Shahina Ahmad said: “The first priority was to get the entrance right. We now have contemporary new signage and a pathway that is connected to the new reception at the front of the school.

“The area features lovely gazebos which not only look good but are also practical as they give shade and shelter to our pupils. The new seating areas are well used, and I like seeing pupils gathering there to chat.

“The surroundings have been improved and the entrance has been softened. It’s a much improved and more welcoming entrance to the school.

“We’ve had some lovely feedback from staff, parents and pupils, who feel that they are being invested in and they appreciate that. They are proud of their school.

“The Land Studio Masterplan has five phases and I’m looking forward to the next steps. The main buildings are not very aesthetically pleasing and we’re looking to improve the drainage and landscape as well.

“In future, we would like to add a water feature on the roundabout in front of the school and we’re keen to progress the creation of an Islamic peace garden. A raised platform in the playground would allow the children to have drama and performance lessons outside.