Creating Learning Spaces at
Haltwhistle Academy
Haltwhistle Academy is a vibrant school for children aged 3 to 11, located in the picturesque town of Haltwhistle, Northumberland. It is part of the Wise Academies family and plays an important role in supporting both education and early years development across the region.
Refurbishment
The Academy operates from a newly refurbished, state-of-the-art building, following the transformation of the former middle school. This major redevelopment created a modern primary school facility, alongside dedicated areas for community activities. The layout was carefully designed to support children across all stages of primary education, enhance access to outdoor learning, and make the most of the surrounding landscape.
“It was so lovely to see the excitement on our children’s faces when they arrived through the doors on their first day back. The large classroom windows which overlook Northumberland’s beautiful landscape have created stunning light and bright teaching spaces which are equipped with the newest teaching technology. Specialist spaces, such as a large art and design studio, and extensive grounds provide incredible opportunities for our children and their families. The ground floor provides inviting spaces for play and learning and is home to the nursery and reception classes. From the classroom children can step out into their new enchanting outdoor play environment with an abundance of varied play challenges which will enhance development and learning for the youngest pupils. The first and second floors provide a hub for each key stage group, with each having innovative open-plan libraries and other teaching spaces for older pupils. The old school hall has also been transformed through the addition of a multi-purpose stage/dance studio.”
– Susie Drake, Headteacher
Local stakeholders have welcomed the new learning environment. Councillor Ian Hutchinson, Local Ward Member for Haltwhistle, emphasised the wider significance of the project for families in the region:
“This is a fantastic learning environment for the children of Haltwhistle and surrounding areas. It will give them access to opportunities they didn’t have before and will give them the best start in life here in the west of the county.”
– Cllr Ian Hutchinson
Our Role in Shaping the Learning Environment
Our involvement in the refurbishment began at the recommendation of one of the senior team members at Wise Academies, following our earlier collaboration on the award-winning Jesmond Gardens Primary project in Hartlepool. Drawing on that experience, we were invited to meet with the Headteacher and her team early in the planning stages to help shape the vision for the new school. Initial on-site meetings took place in 2019/20, and after a pause due to the pandemic, the project continued remotely, working through draft designs, reviews, and refinements.
Working closely with the school, we developed layouts and supplied furniture that was fully configured to suit the space, carefully selecting materials, colours, and forms to meet both practical and educational needs. Our real wood furniture, made to order in Germany using a zero-waste process, formed the core of the classroom environments. We also included key items from Reggio Emilia in Italy, such as the light table in the Reception classroom, which added both functionality and aesthetic value.
A key part of the brief was to create agile spaces, classrooms that could be quickly and easily reconfigured to support different types of learning, group sizes, and activities. To meet this need, we used a combination of modular and mobile tables, platforms, and storage units, as well as non-prescriptive play equipment designed for open-ended use. Visibility was another key priority, allowing teachers to see and engage with children throughout the space, whether through low-level storage, transparent zones, or integrated mirrors.
What we’re most proud of is how the spaces have evolved with use. The classrooms remain active, adaptable, and full of life. Staff feedback has been consistently positive, and the furniture is still looking as good as the day it was installed.
National Recognition for Excellence
Following an Ofsted inspection in February 2023, Haltwhistle Primary Academy was officially rated Outstanding in all areas. This includes the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The inspection praised the school’s ability to deliver high standards across the board, reflecting a deeply embedded culture of excellence and care.
Leader in Early Years Practice
Haltwhistle Academy serves as the lead setting for the Great North Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, supporting early years providers across the region by sharing best practices and building a strong professional network.
The importance of this work was recognised during a visit from the Department for Education, including the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, who visited the Academy to observe its early years provision and meet both staff and pupils. During her time at the school, she announced additional funding for the national Stronger Practice Hub initiative, which includes 18 hubs across the country.
Preparing Children for School
At Haltwhistle Academy, helping children become ready for school is a key focus of the nursery and early years provision. This means more than just early learning — it’s about building the confidence, independence, and social skills that allow children to enjoy being in a classroom and thrive from the start.
This priority aligns closely with the government’s early years strategy. As the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, explained:
“Early years is my top priority as the education secretary and through our Plan of Change, we’ll make sure that a record proportion of children are school ready by the age of five. We’re investing extra money into early years and child care entitlements, rolling out from September. That’s because I know, it’s so important for parents that childcare is available and accessible, but this is also about better life chances for our children too. We’ll deliver a sea change in early years education, making sure that all of our children get the best start in life.”
© Department of Education
Follow their journey on Instagram: @haltwhistleacademy
Room Planning
Get in touch to learn more about our room planning services. From choosing new furniture to full refurbishments, we provide expert advice, detailed floor plans, 3D renders, itemised quotes with product recommendations, and reliable nationwide delivery and installation.
Find out more in our brochure!