The foundations have now been laid for this 570 pupil school, together with the foundations for an international Day Care Centre and an impressive Community & Sports building. The school’s project managers Arcadis are overseeing the construction work of the modern new campus which features inspirational designs by well known architect Thomas Rau.
Providing high quality education for 3 -11 year olds from The Hague’s expanding international expatriate community, Junior School Leidschenveen will join the BSN’s family of schools which include 2 existing schools in The Hague, 1 in Assen and a Senior School in Voorschoten.
As part of the BSN’s commitment to educating children for the future, the school is being built with the concept of sustainability at its core. The school will be heated with thermal energy from the earth’s core and will feature numerous energy and resource saving features – such as the recycling of its own water.
David Porritt, Head of Junior School Leidschenveen, is now busy with the internal architects, selecting the materials to be used in the different areas of the school – as well as discussing plans for layout of classrooms, furniture, outside play equipment and so on. During the ceremony David commented;
“I feel incredibly privileged to be involved with such an innovative building project. The techniques being used will help make the school campus a truly inspirational place for children – they will be able to learn about their effect on their environment through interactive technologies that are being built into the school’s infrastructure. We are really looking forward to building a diverse and welcoming community here.”
With a Day Care Centre and Sports & Community building also planned for the campus, the site will provide many opportunities for involvement with the local community. Martin Coles – new CEO of the British School of The Netherlands explains;
“It is part of the BSN’s ethos to make its facilities available to the local community. We will be running adult language courses – during both the day and evenings – at the Community Centre and the Sports Hall will also be available for hire when it is not in use by the school. In turn we will be making good use of the Gemeente’s adjoining sports pitches during school hours. The Day Care centre is obviously also an exciting new venture for us and will be a welcome additional service to those international families looking for English speaking child care.”
The Gemeente has been fully supportive of the school’s plans by pledging financial support for the project from City Development Funds. With these funds designated for the future landscaping of the site, the school will be able to develop a campus taking full account of the aesthetic beauty of the area. This collaboration with city officials backs up the Gemeente’s plans for continuing growth and development, including a focus on attracting further European and international organisations to the city.
For more pictures of the ceremony please click here