The school's design is based on many of the principles explored in the architect’s DfES Exemplar Schools Design proposal of 2003 for a Beehive School, and as such is a significant step forward in the design of learning environments for young children. Built on three storeys, the school is orientated east-west around an internal street with teaching houses facing north and play-decks facing south. Circulation is simple and effective and choices are provided by the external stairs and decks. By breaking the building down into smaller elements, the sense of scale is made intimate. On the ground floor the spaces are arranged off a generous cross axis with a curvy blue library at one end and yellow ‘custard area’ and hall at the other.