School History

Castle Donington College is a mixed 11–16 secondary school located in Leicestershire, with over 650 pupils on roll. The origin of the College can be traced back to 1911, when only four teachers taught 216 local children, in what is now St. Edwards Primary School.

Moving to its current Mount Pleasant site in 1957, the school has always prioritised expanding the educational offer for local pupils; installing specialist subject blocks and widening curriculum and intake over the years.

Now part of the East Midlands Education Trust, the College converted to academy status in 2022 and continues to pride itself on a caring and aspirational environment where academic excellence, creativity and personal development are valued.

Project Overview

In line with its commitment to providing a stimulating and supportive setting, the College identified the need for an additional enclosed dining and social space to accommodate students more comfortably, particularly during winter months.

The school’s existing facilities lacked sufficient sheltered space for pupils to gather, eat or relax throughout the year and so the leadership team sought a high-quality solution that could be integrated with existing buildings, while meeting all regulatory and operational needs.

Working closely with East Midlands Education Trust, Zone Design. Build were delighted to deliver a bespoke ZONE Glazed Building, providing a modern enclosed area for dining and social interaction.

The completed, free-standing BS EN 1090-compliant, steel structure includes:

• Insulated subfloor and masonry facing to match adjacent buildings
• Steel profile insulated roof, raised above the height of the adjoining flat-roofed building, to ensure increased light and space 
• PPC aluminium rainwater goods
• LED space lighting and air source heat pump system (with cooling mode)
• Safety flooring, fire safety measures and drainage connections
• Aluminium curtain walling and dual pivot commercial doors for durability and access

Results

The new facility has transformed the lunchtime and social experience for students, offering a comfortable, weather-resistant space that reduces pressure on internal dining areas. With full compliance to Building Regulations and a focus on long-term performance, the ZONE Glazed Building is a strategic investment in both infrastructure and student support.

Castle Donington College remains committed to creating a safe, inspiring environment where every pupil is supported to thrive. The new building stands as a tangible expression of that vision.