After months of anticipation and a year of construction, The Paragon School in Bath has unveiled a major new classroom extension, now in use this spring.
The development adds four spacious, state-of-the-art learning environments to the school, which welcomes children aged 3–11.
Set within the historic Lyncombe Vale, the school’s unique woodland surroundings have played a key role in shaping the design. The extension has been carefully integrated alongside the existing Georgian buildings, balancing contemporary architecture with the site’s heritage.
The project began in 2021, when Nugent Vallis & Brierley Architects were commissioned to reimagine how the school’s facilities could evolve. The aim was to create flexible, modern classrooms while improving accessibility and preserving the character of the site.
The new spaces are bright and open, with large windows that maximise natural light and frame views of the surrounding trees. Designed to encourage curiosity and collaboration, the classrooms provide a calm and inspiring environment for pupils.
The flexible layout allows for a wide range of lessons and activities, and the new building will also support holiday clubs, enrichment sessions and small-scale venue hire.
As part of the wider development, existing areas within the school will be transformed into a dedicated STEM hub. Cookery, design and technology, and computing will be brought together, creating more opportunities for hands-on, practical learning.
The Paragon continues to offer a broad curriculum, with specialist teaching across music, languages, art, games and swimming.
Head of school, Malcolm Bond, said, “It has been wonderful to explore the new classrooms with pupils following their return from the Easter break, and to see classes already settling into learning, creating and collaborating. The children are clearly excited to be in their new environment, and there is a real sense of energy across the school as they make the space their own. This has been a significant project for the school, and we are very grateful to everyone who has played a part in bringing it to life.”
The build was delivered by Gaiger Brothers, whose work ensured the project was completed smoothly within a live school setting.
Families can visit the school at its next open morning on Friday 22 May, or book a mid-week tour via the admissions page on the school’s website www.paragonschool.co.uk
