A primary school & pavilion in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park that provides a unique learning environment with the Lee Navigation Canal on one side and the Olympic Stadium on the other.

In the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Bobby Moore Academy Secondary School is part of an all-through academy which includes a separate primary school, a Multi-Use Games Area and sports pavilion. The Academy provides much-needed education and community resources to support the growing neighbourhood.

The 2FE primary school for 420 children sits along the Lee Navigation Canal, beside the Olympic Stadium. Its long, thin form results from the complexities of the site; the canal on one side and two Thameswater pipes running through the centre.

The 2,250m2 building is divided into three parts. Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 teaching spaces sit at either end, opening onto their respective outdoor play areas. Shared central facilities include the main hall, dining, library and specialist teaching spaces. These are available to the community after hours without impacting on the security of the rest of the school.

The building is clad with brick slips with a two-tone palette, sharing an architectural language with the secondary school and sports pavilion. Teaching spaces are naturally ventilated using hybrid thermal mixing units while large windows and double height spaces maximise daylight and provide views to the canal and the stadium. The school is designed to accommodate future expansion upwards to cater for an additional class per year group.

The 107m2 Sports Pavilion and MUGA is a fun, lively addition to the Park, for use by both Schools, and the wider public after hours. It incorporates changing rooms, toilets and stores and a canopy to provide shelter for spectators. A gap between the two parts of the building provides space for players before and after their games. The window from this space focuses directly on the Olympic Stadium, reinforcing the connection to sporting excellence and the art of the possible.

Rafael Marks, Principal at Penoyre & Prasad, said:

"The Bobby Moore Academy Primary School is located on a unique site, sandwiched between the water and the park. The site presented many challenges, not least the two mains water pipes running through the centre of the site with 15m no-build zones either side. This suggested a long thin building along the water’s edge, resulting a series of internal spaces with ever-changing light qualities and varied views from the water to the trees to the stadium. Using a steel structure, precast concrete planks and prefabricated cladding enabled the team to complete the construction within 12 months, providing a distinctive learning environment for the growing young community."