ARCHITECTS APPOINTED AS ECi310 MOVES INTO DETAILED DESIGN
Eastbourne College Incorporated (ECi) has appointed Burrell Foley Fischer (BFF) as the architects who will design and deliver ECi310, the new home for St Andrew's Prep at the heart of the Eastbourne College campus.
BFF developed the initial concept designs shared at our consultation in May. Their appointment follows a competitive tender process involving three highly regarded practices, through which BFF demonstrated their expertise, experience and understanding of our schools and their culture.
A DEDICATED TEAM
3D model of the proposed new prep school
The ECi310 project now has dedicated leadership with Abbey Gough, our Charity's Chief Operating Officer, seconded to the role of Head of Special Projects. Abbey will lead ECi310 from design through to delivery. Alongside BFF, the wider project team is now in place. Surveys of the site were carried out over the summer months, and work has begun on preparing the planning submissions.
Abbey Gough, Head of Special Projects, said: “It was important to us to choose architects who would challenge our thinking, while working collaboratively with staff to create an exceptional environment centred on the needs of the children, in which every child can flourish academically, socially and emotionally.
“We are confident that BFF are the right partner to create our new Prep School that combinesthe distinctive character of St Andrew's with the benefits of a joined-up educational journey onone campus in the heart of Eastbourne.”
Aidan Ridyard, Partner at Burrell Foley Fischer, said: "This project is a tremendous opportunity to reimagine a 21st century learning and teaching environment for the next generation of pupils, in the inspirational setting of the wider Eastbourne College campus. We look forward to working with the teams at St Andrew's Prep and the College to turn their ideas and aspirations into a building that will have a lasting, positive impact on their pupils."
ON TRACK
Following the initial design concepts and feedback gathered in May, we are now working towards a pre-planning application for submission in October, which will include transport and parking considerations. The project will then go through the statutory planning process, with an outline planning application expected in the new year.
The timeline has been amended now that the full project team is in place, and a detailed programme for the build has been developed. Works are expected to begin in Summer 2027, with the new Prep School projected to open in early 2029, subject to planning consent.
Abbey said: "The response to our initial concept designs and vision for ECi310 gave us a clear brief and real momentum. With the full design team now in place, it’s all systems go as we move into the next stage of the project. We will keep our community informed at every step.”
COME AND SEE THE SITE
In June, we welcomed St Andrew's families and pupils to walk the proposed site for themselves. Standing in the space, seeing where the new Prep School will sit within the College campus, gave those who came a clearer picture of what is planned, and, in their own words, real confidence and excitement about what comes next.
We would like to offer that same experience to more of our community. If you would like to visit, please register your interest at hello@eci310.co.uk and we will arrange further tours.
Alternatively, you can pop into Reception at St Andrew’s Prep to see our current model of the School.
We will continue to share updates at each key stage of ECi310 on our website.