Birmingham, B24 8RE
Erdington Academy New Hot Corner Laboratories
Erdington Academy: New Hot Corner Labs & Teacher Walls
Erdington Academy is a mixed-gender secondary school for students aged 11–16, located in Birmingham, and is part of the Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust (FMAT).
Since becoming an academy in 2016, the school has served a diverse and inclusive student community, with many pupils coming from local disadvantaged backgrounds. It is committed to upholding FMAT’s core values—excellence, dedication, ambition, integrity, and tradition—which underpin both its academic ethos and wider school culture.
Alongside a strong focus on learning, the school provides robust pastoral support, mixed-age tutor groups that encourage mentoring and community, and a broad extracurricular programme designed to enrich students’ experiences and aid their personal development.
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Project brief
In December 2023, Erdington Academy approached Innova Design Group to design and provide a quotation for refurbishing two existing science labs, following the award of Wolfson grant funding to modernise their facilities.
The labs were outdated and unable to meet the needs of the growing student population, with limited capacity, worn furniture, and layouts that hindered effective teaching.
During a site survey the client provided a comprehensive brief, which included:
- Designs to accommodate up to 32 students
- Teacher demonstration desk required with hot and cold water and additional services
- Fixed benching arrangement according to the survey layout
- Multiple design options required, including winged and straight benching
- 60” TV to be mounted or integrated into the teacher’s wall
The school aimed to maximise each lab’s capacity while creating a dedicated teacher demonstration area and teaching wall to improve lesson delivery and classroom organisation. To support their decision-making, Innova’s designer created multiple layout options, enabling them to evaluate different configurations and choose the solution that best met their needs.
In addition to enhancing the layout and furniture, Erdington Academy planned to upgrade their lab equipment and core services to meet modern standards. They required a full turnkey solution, encompassing new flooring, decoration, and updates to electrics, gas, plumbing, and other essential services.
The overall goal was to create modern, functional, and durable laboratories that would support effective science teaching for years to come.
The refurbished laboratories offer a modern, organised space that accommodates larger classes, enhances demonstrations, and streamlines teaching, with durable finishes and ample storage to meet staff and student needs for years to come.
The solution
Innova delivered a full end-to-end refurbishment of the laboratories, stripping out the existing installations and replacing them with entirely new flooring, gas and plumbing services, electrical infrastructure, and bespoke furniture. Working closely with the school, we implemented Innova’s hot-corner layout, creating flexible spaces that encourage collaborative learning while enabling clear, effective teacher-led demonstrations.
Gas and electrical outlets were strategically positioned just off the work surface at each bench, minimising distractions and promoting a more focused classroom environment. To maximise storage, we incorporated perimeter cabinets and sinks, complemented by additional under-bench units throughout the lab, giving teachers and technicians plenty of organised space for equipment and materials. A large teacher demonstration desk with extensive built-in storage was also installed, supporting efficient lesson delivery and keeping resources neatly arranged.
A light blue colour palette was chosen to create a bright, fresh, and airy atmosphere. The result is modern, highly functional laboratories that offers Erdington Academy durable, future-proof learning spaces, thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of both staff and students.
Turnkey services
- Demolition & Strip Out
- Minor Building Works
- New Flooring Installation
- Electrical Works
- Plumbing Services
- Gas Installations
- Decoration
As part of the turnkey solution, a comprehensive range of services was delivered to ensure the space was safe, fully compliant, and fit for purpose. This included the identification and management of asbestos present within the existing bitumen floor tiles, the removal of the outdated radiator heating system, and the installation of a mobile fume cupboard complete with a dedicated docking station. In addition, new cove-and-cap vinyl flooring was installed to meet hygiene and durability requirements, alongside the provision of a new fuse board and gas proving system to support safe and efficient operation of the laboratory.
Outcome:
The project was delivered as a complete turnkey refurbishment, completed within a five-week window over the summer 2025 break to ensure teaching continued uninterrupted. Erdington Academy welcomed the transformation, noting the marked improvements in both usability and visual appeal.
The renovated laboratories now provide a contemporary, well-structured environment that supports larger class sizes, improves demonstration areas, and simplifies day-to-day teaching. With durable finishes, enhanced storage solutions, and a future-focused layout, the space is fully prepared to meet the ongoing needs of both staff and students.
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