The Wixams is a cluster of four brand new villages on the outskirts of Bedford. The council asked us to design a 420-place, two-form-entry primary school to serve the new community. It needed to feature a 26-place nursery and, along with its sister academy, be an integral part of the new learning community at the very heart of the Wixams development. The school’s vision is to provide its staff and pupils with a vibrant and exciting learning environment where all children feel happy and confident to achieve excellence in everything they do. To support the school in its vision, our design included a wide central learning street with breakout areas and classrooms along either side. As well as a main assembly hall, the school has a studio hall for dance and other activities. Outside, the primary school will share vehicular access with the neighbouring academy, have its own all-weather sports facilities and feature a threshold piazza connected to the community’s network of cycle paths and walkways. Keeping in close collaboration with all stakeholders meant the brand-new primary school was delivered on time and on budget, welcoming its first pupils in September 2017.