Olympic gold-medallist rower’s £26,000-a-year alma mater looks to expand pupil numbers

Aerial view of Packwood Haugh School in Shropshire

Aerial view of Packwood Haugh School in Shropshire

Walters & Cohen has been appointed to masterplan the expansion of a top private school in Shropshire.

The practice said it would look at ways to introduce modern science facilities, a revamped junior teaching block and boosted nursery provision at Packwood Haugh School, which sits in a 26ha site north west of Shrewsbury.

Walters & Cohen will also undertake a “comprehensive review” of the co-educational school’s existing accommodation, “traffic flow” and “user experience”.

Practice director Michal Cohen said the project was “an exciting opportunity” to enhance a school that already had a leading national reputation for its curriculum and facilities.

“We believe that the masterplan will provide a long-term focus for the school over the next few decades by planning and coordinating a sequence of redevelopment across the whole school site,” she said.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the school to develop its vision and estate.”

Kings Walters and Cohen

Walters & Cohen’s new International College, designed for King’s College in Canterbury

Packwood Haugh consultant bursar Anthony Pitchers said he had worked with Walters & Cohen on several different projects.

“They are thorough in their approach and quickly manage to get an understanding of the culture of the school,” he said. “They are happy to challenge the way the school works and to produce innovative solutions.”

Packwood Haugh School currently charges fees of up to £26,430 a year and counts the Olympic gold-medal-winning rower Tom James and the Archers actor Rhys Bevan among its former students.