Race Cottam Architects
Exterior view of a new school building with a mix of light-coloured cladding panels, projecting brickwork detailing, set within a landscaped area with planting, gabion walls and a clear blue sky.Exterior view of a new school building with a mix of light-coloured cladding panels, projecting brickwork detailing, set within a landscaped area with planting, gabion walls and a clear blue sky.
Astrea AcademySheffield

A new through-school in Sheffield that brings together heritage and contemporary design to make space for outstanding learning.

The school on the hillside viewed from a distance, with tehr efurbished Pye Bank School in the background, the new Astrea Academy building to the right that staggers down the hillside. Vegetation in the foreground and a blue sky.
A view from the side of the school, taken from the higher plateau looking towards Sheffield City that you can see in the background. The staggered terraces and steps features planters filled with greenery and a metal railing along the edge. In the distance, numerous buildings stretch across the horizon under a partly cloudy sky, giving a sense of height and an expansive urban view.
A bright, modern science classroom with rows of lab benches and stools. Pupils in uniform sit facing the front while a teacher stands beside a whiteboard and a screen displaying a presentation. The room is equipped with lab apparatus such as clamps, stands, sinks, and trays of materials, and large windows along the right wall let in natural light.
The two storey Victorian stone school building with ornate architecture and a central gable, overlooking the sit to the new build build school on the left of the image. In the foreground, there’s a brick retaining wall with the fenced sports court and play area with young people using it. Thee scene is set under a partly cloudy and sunny sky,
Project info

Astrea Academy is a new through-school in Sheffield for 1,500 pupils aged 2–18, designed to create an inspiring place to learn with incredible views out while contributing positively to the city skyline.

Positioned on one of Sheffield’s seven hills, the new secondary school responds to a dramatic 30m level change across the site, shaping a series of stepped ground floor plateaus that provide clear access for pupils, visitors and community use. The building’s massing and vertical glazing draw inspiration from the surrounding Peak District edges, creating a bold landmark visible across the city.

Alongside the new build, the historic Pye Bank School has been sensitively restored to form the academy’s primary school.

Location

Sheffield

Date

2015-2018

Client

Sheffield City Council
Kier Construction


Services

Architecture
Interior Design

Cost

£24 million

Area

5,500 sq.m

Main Contractor

Kier Construction

Team

Roscoe
Turner and Townsend
Ares Landscape Architects
NG Bailey

Awards

Shortlisted for RICS Social Value Award (Shortlisted), RTPI Planning Excellence Award


Our Team

Pauline Lake
Laurie Cottam
Nick Stables
Amy Paget

“Throughout the entire design process RCA have demonstrated their commitment, skills, and experience in the education sector. They have been consistently proactive, creative, and transparent. Their ability to engage and inspire the client and all stakeholders/end users throughout the design and planning process has been fundamental to ensuring the project has progressed.”

James Payton-Green Sheffield City Council
A close up of the pupilentrance facade featuring a mix of materials: glass panels, brickwork with projecting headers, and sgrey cladding. The school has a contemporary architectural design with clean lines and geometric forms. At entrance level, there are young people and a silver sculpture.
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