The brief for Athboy School was for a new 950 pupil school on an irregularly shaped site behind existing residential developments both new and more mature and behind the existing St. James’ Vocational School wit access is off the Kells Road. The site is secluded behind an existing school with residential development to the south and west and agricultural land to the east and north. The site is very irregular in shape which creates challenges related to the accommodation of a 950 pupil school, associated sports fields and car-parking. The new school was the amalgamation of two existing schools namely, St. Josephs Secondary School and St. James Vocational School.
The Design Philosophy was to create a high quality school building complex which is both a strong architectural statement appropriate to its status in the town and community, whilst also achieving the educational, functional and technical requirements of the project. The design was prepared in compliance with the Department of Education and Skills Technical Guidance Documents.
The school design is to cater for all the educational needs of the pupils and staff and also provide an inspiring learning environment. It also caters for the wider community with appropriate consideration of out of school hour functions.
