Upton Meadows Primary School

Upton Meadows Primary School, Northampton – A Sustainable and Inclusive School Design

Johnson Design Partnership (JDP) was entrusted with the design of Upton Meadows Primary School, a key element of a larger urban development at Upton, just outside Northampton. The brief was uniquely challenging, as it required not only meeting educational and community needs but also adhering to a design code set forth by the Prince’s Foundation.

The project involved collaboration with over 30 stakeholders, including Northamptonshire County Council, landholders, and the Prince’s Foundation. Together, we aimed to create a forward-thinking, all-inclusive learning community that embraced creativity, sustainability, and accessibility. The school design had to reflect both the local community’s aspirations and the environmental standards laid out by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM).

Upton Meadows Primary School was the first in the UK to achieve a Provisional Assessment BREEAM rating of ‘excellent.’ This groundbreaking accomplishment reflects the school’s commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking design. The school grounds were designed to facilitate both outdoor learning and community engagement, providing spaces that inspire creativity while fostering a connection to the surrounding urban village.

One of the key challenges was to integrate the school into the wider urban master plan, ensuring the development was inclusive and accessible. The design allowed the school to become the heart of this new urban village, with the buildings, apartments, terraced homes, village green, and leisure spaces carefully planned to ensure that all residents had equal access to shared spaces.

This project highlights JDP’s ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects while delivering innovative, sustainable, and community-focused architectural solutions. Upton Meadows is a shining example of how school architecture can be both environmentally responsible and deeply integrated into its local context, providing an inspiring place for children to learn and grow.

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32 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews

"
I highly recommend using Vic Johnson and his team at Johnson Design Partnership Limited, who have been appointed to create exciting designs for our new home and to lead the tendering and construction process. Vic and his colleague Becky Bradley have used their considerable depth of knowledge to develop exciting designs and are providing very helpful guidance as required through the decision-making process, whilst also focussing on projected costs and optimising the use of our available budget.
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Adrian

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As well as our thanks, we would like to add our congratulations on steering our application to approval first time – with no hitches or refusals! This success, we feel, must be a result of your skill, expertise and carefully timed discussions and consultations throughout the planning process. – We have no hesitation in recommending your work.
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Mr and Mrs Pavard

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I have recently finished my third project with Johnson Design! Two at my work premises and one residential. Matt Spinks is great to work with and always has great ideas and attention to detail. Will come back for any future projects 🙂
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Lucy LC

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I have known Vic Johnson over several years during which time he has carried out several successful college projects with his company Johnson Design Partnership. Last year the company was short listed for a major design guide project for the Learning and Skills Council itself. Johnson Designs dedication, efficiency and track record make them ideally suited for a range of College projects and I would have no hesitation in recommending them for such schemes.
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Roger Taylor, Director of Property and Facilities for Learning and Skills Council, Learning and Skills Council

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I am extremely pleased with my new extension and kitchen and with the overall ease with which it has been achieved.
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Chris de Souza – Much Wenlock, Shropshire

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I thoroughly enjoyed working through the design process with Johnson Design Partnership. They explained what was required each step of the way and achieved Planning Permission for my Paragraph 79 / House, first time! (Resolution to grant consent).
I would always recommend Johnson Design Partnership to anyone looking to create an Architecturally exciting project or indeed another successful paragraph 80 house.
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Simon Aldridge, Paragraph 79 House

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We would be happy recommending Johnson Design Partnership; we found them easy to work with and responsive to our changes and questions
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Mr and Mrs Mancey – Shrewsbury, Shropshire

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Our garden is long, narrow and lies along a steep, exposed slope. It is difficult to do anything meaningful with it. Vic Johnson and Andi Clews have developed plans for our garden which should result in something very special, with stunning entrance, privacy and exciting trails throughout the garden. Can’t wait to see it completed!
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Paul Griffiths