Design Projects
JCoSS
With RHWL Architects
Project overview
JCoSS (Jewish Community Secondary School) in North London is the pilot project for parent-promoted voluntary-aided schools. It is a completely new six form entry specialist science secondary school with a co-located 50 place unit (Pears Special Resource Provision) for students with autistic spectrum disorder. We worked closely with the parent group (JCoSS Trust) to develop the curriculum and design brief that we then translated into an inspiring, practical, affordable and sustainable learning environment. The school has a strong ethos of openness and inclusion in terms of faith, ability, and community use which formed the cornerstone of the architectural approach. Due to its pioneering nature, we faced many challenges along the way and were very proud when the school opened in September 2010 with its first year group.
Special needs at JCoSS
JCoSS is essentially two schools under one roof – literally! The mainstream school is co-located with the Pears Special Resource Unit, provision which caters for students and members of the community with autistic spectrum disorder. The integrated yet secure facility supports the school’s inclusive ethos while catering for the full range of student needs. The unit offers sensory, physio and hydrotherapy rooms, as well as a hall and dining area. The classrooms adopts a unique graded design to accommodate the varied needs and levels of integration. The unit even includes a flat to teach students domestic and life skills. The design was developed through close consultation with Norwood, the client for the special needs provision, as well as experts from London Borough of Barnet and other specialist schools around the country.
JCoSS video profile
Future Schools (JCoSS) from The Bespoke Film Company on Vimeo.
"Our school is an inspiring temple of learning."
Jeremy Stowe-Lindner
Headteacher
JCoSS
