Wymondham College is unique in Norfolk: a state boarding school.

Founded in 1951, the College is set on an 83-acre site near the village of Morley. The secondary school has grown both in size and reputation over the decades. Old post-war Nissen huts have been replaced with purpose-built teaching blocks and accommodation halls, spread across a rural campus.

Now part of the Sapientia Education Trust, the College is well-known for excellence in all fields. It admits a mixed entry of day pupils, weekly boarders and termly boarders.

A few years ago, the decision was made to build a new prep school for 3 to 11-year-olds. This would be only the second state-owned boarding prep school in the country. A new boarding block was also proposed – Underwood Hall.

Adrian James Acoustics had previously advised on various acoustic improvements at the College, such as upgrades to the music school. Consequently, we were the natural choice for the acoustic design of the new prep school and hall of residence.

We were appointed by Morgan Sindall – a long-term client of AJA – and ensured that Stages 2 to 6 of the project met or exceeded the statutory Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) standards for the acoustic design of schools. Upon completion in August 2021, we carried out the final sound insulation testing in compliance with the Association of Noise Consultants guidelines.

The prep school opened in September 2021, and each year a new intake class will be added. Within a few years, the school will be at its maximum capacity, including boarders in Years Five and Six.

Chief Executive of the Sapientia Education Trust, Jonathan Taylor said: “We are justifiably proud of the world-class education at Wymondham College and this gives us the opportunity to extend the provision we have on site to primary age students.”

Client: Sapientia Education Trust
Architect: LSI Architects
Contractor: Morgan Sindall

Photos: AJA