We are delighted at the completion and handover of Pudsey Sixth Form College to Luminate Education Group, just ahead of the first student intake this September. This brand-new facility represents more than just a place to learn, providing an inspiring environment where students can grow, connect, and thrive.
FPCR were originally commissioned by Enjoy Design at RIBA Stages 2 to 4 to shape the vision for the college’s external areas, and later our role was extended through to Stage 5, working with Caddick Construction to bring the design into reality. This continuity allowed us to guide the project from concept to completion, ensuring that the aspirations for the landscape were fully realised.
The external design makes the most of the sloping site, transforming it into a sequence of spaces that balance practicality, biodiversity, and wellbeing. Vehicular circulation and drop-off areas are seamlessly integrated between the main entrance and newly planted trees and scrub, softening the arrival experience and creating a sense of place. In front of the college, a high-quality amenity space has been delivered, complete with seating and picnic tables that encourage students to gather, socialise and study outdoors, while planting provides visual separation from the car park and enhances the overall setting. Across the wider campus, large areas have been dedicated to biodiversity, recreation, and external teaching, extending the learning experience beyond the classroom and embedding opportunities for both education and relaxation into the landscape.
The outcome is a thoughtfully designed environment that supports up to 600 pupils each year with spaces that foster wellbeing, encourage collaboration, and connect students with nature. For FPCR, this project reflects the value of landscape-led design in education, creating places that not only meet the functional needs of a campus but also enrich the daily lives of those who use them.
With extensive experience working on schools, colleges, and universities across the UK, FPCR continues to bring together multi-disciplinary expertise in to help shape learning environments where young people can flourish. Pudsey Sixth Form College stands as a clear example of how thoughtful external design can support education providers in delivering campuses that inspire students and leave a lasting legacy for their communities.