New look on the cards for John O'Gaunt School

An application put before West Berkshire Council planners seeks external alterations to the main entrance, including the existing brickwork, glazing and landscaping.
The school was opened in 1962 and a design statement prepared by the Bush Consultancy states: “The school feels that its main entrance has been lost amongst the redevelopment and wishes to regain its public identity.
“It has recently reverted to the name of John O’Gaunt School, from John O’Gaunt Community Technology College, and would like the building and site, as well as signage, to be enhanced to reflect this change.”
The proposals before planning chiefs comprise:
• new signage to reflect the new name
• altered vehicle routes and parking to “enhance the pedestrian facilities adjacent to the main entrance”
• replacement of the “dated” tile hanging to the Kennet and Technology blocks with timber-effect rainscreen cladding
• replacement of UPVC windows around the main entrance with aluminium curtain walling
• rendering the “tired” brickwork adjacent to the main entrance.
The application continues: “Due to its position on the outskirts of the town, and the area of prime responsibility that it serves, the vast majority of pupils are taken to school by coach or bus.
“There is a one-way system that operates through the school, which all vehicles entering the site via the southern entrance and exiting the school by the northern entrance.
“This system operates well at present and there is no proposal to change this.”
To enhance the main entrance, designers suggest altering the landscaping to provide a “focal point” at the front of the school, making the footways wider.
They also propose removing the large “unkempt” bushes to the front of the three-storey Kennet Block and replacing them with a single tree.
In addition, disabled and minibus parking will be relocated to the front of the site, with other car parking relocated to the main staff car park.
No date has been set for a decision. To view or comment on the proposals, visit West Berkshire Council website’s
planning section and use the reference 14/02579/FUL